Voters in Buncombe County are preparing for the 2026 Primary Election, which will take place on March 3. Early voting is set to begin on February 12 and run through February 28, with no early voting available during the first weekend of February 14-15. Registered voters can cast their ballots at any of the 11 designated early voting locations across the county.
The deadline to register for the primary election is February 6 at 5 p.m. Residents who miss this deadline may still register and vote simultaneously during the early voting period by providing a valid photo ID and proof of residence. Those unsure about their registration status or who need to check their voter information can use the North Carolina State Board of Elections voter search tool.
To be eligible to register in North Carolina, individuals must be U.S. citizens, at least 18 years old, residents of North Carolina and Buncombe County for at least 30 days before the election, and not serving a felony sentence.
This year introduces changes due to new state laws requiring all voters to present photo identification when casting ballots either in person or by absentee ballot. Free voter photo IDs are available at Election Services’ new location at 35 Woodfin St., Asheville.
Absentee-by-mail voting begins January 12. Any registered voter may request an absentee ballot online or via paper form, with requests due by February 17 at 5 p.m. Completed absentee ballots must be received by March 3 at 7:30 p.m.; postmarks are not accepted as proof of timely submission.
On Primary Election Day, polls will open from 6:30 a.m. until 7:30 p.m., and anyone in line by closing time will be allowed to vote. Curbside voting is available for those unable to enter polling places due to age or disability; these voters must also provide acceptable photo identification.
Buncombe County Election Services is seeking poll workers for March 3, emphasizing representation from both major political parties as required by law.
For more details on registration, absentee ballots, early voting locations and hours, or poll worker opportunities, residents can visit buncombenc.gov/vote or contact Election Services directly.
In related education data from Buncombe County school districts for the academic year 2022-23:
– Of senior students taking the science portion of the ACT exam, only about one in four were considered college-ready (28.5%). For juniors taking science, that figure was slightly higher at just over three in ten (30.1%). More information is available through the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction.
– In reading proficiency on the ACT exam among seniors, just over four out of ten students (41.1%) met college readiness benchmarks; juniors performed similarly with a rate of about two out of five (43.2%). Further details can be found here.
– Math readiness remained lower: among seniors taking math on the ACT exam, only about one in four (25.6%) were deemed ready for college-level work; junior students reached nearly one third (32.7%). Additional statistics are provided by DPI.
