Campaign calendar

Prepping for this election season, the Buncombe County Board of Elections has redesigned its Web site (www.buncombecounty.org/governing/depts/Election) to make it more user-friendly. A new list of links to services and information is easily accessible on the home page—including sample ballots, polling locations, registration verification, important deadlines and a direct link to the state Board of Elections.

The site offers a comprehensive 2008 Voting Guide, which can be viewed or downloaded at www.buncombecounty.org/common/boe/VotingGuide.pdf, containing details about One-Stop Early Voting, Election Day voting, curbside voting, transfer voting, absentee voting and general registration information.

It also points out—lest you not be aware—that it is a Class I felony for any “owner, manager, director, employee or other person other than the voter’s near relative or legal guardian to make a written request or mark or assist in marking the voter’s absentee ballot on behalf of a registered voter who is a patient in any hospital, clinic, nursing home or rest home” in this state, or for anyone other than the voter’s near relative or verifiable legal guardian to mark or assist such a voter in marking an absentee ballot. Under new legislation effective this year, however, nursing home or rest home facilities may request a “bi-partisan team trained by the Board of Elections office to assist voters with absentee ballots.” Call 250-4247 to request this service.

Ballots differ according to the location of your residence, and samples specific to your precinct are available at the BOE site. When voting, remember the ballot is two-sided, so turn it over! Also, for anyone thinking of straight-ticket voting, the presidential race is not included under your straight-ticket mark; it must be voted individually. Straight-ticket also does not cover the nonpartisan section of the ballot, so individual choices must be marked there.
Wednesday, Oct. 22: Reception/fundraiser honoring N.C. House candidate Jane Whilden at 5:30 p.m. Contact 989-1021 for reservation/location information.
Thursday, Oct. 23: House party for Holly Jones, candidate for Buncombe Board of Commissioners, at the home of Brownie and Beth Newman from 7 to 9 p.m. For reservation information, contact newmanasheville@aol.com.
Saturday, Oct. 25: Meet and Greet with Carl Mumpower, Republican candidate for Congress, and other local Republican candidates, at Reed Memorial Baptist Church, 756 Fairview Road, 9 a.m.
Saturday, Oct. 25: Breakfast with Democratic candidates for Buncombe Board of Commissioners, Roberson High School Cafeteria, 10 a.m. to noon. For information, call 274-4482.
Saturday, Oct. 25: Family Fun and Get Out the Vote Rally hosted by Rep. Heath Shuler, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Bill Taylor’s Ranch, 1005 Cane Creek Road, Fletcher ($25 for adults; kids are free). For information, call 348-1414.
Monday, Oct. 27: Candidates forum for N.C. Senate District 49 and House Districts 114, 115 and 116 candidates, sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Asheville-Buncombe County, 7 p.m. at the Randolph Learning Center, 90 Montford Ave., Asheville. Co-sponsors include Children First and Kids Voting.
Monday, Oct. 27: “Final Push” fundraiser for Nathan Ramsey, candidate for chair of the Buncombe Board of Commissioners, at the Fiddlin’ Pig in Asheville, 5:30 to 8 p.m.
Tuesday, Oct. 28: Citizens for McCain meeting at Atlanta Bread Company, 633 Merrimon Ave., 7 p.m.
Tuesday, Oct. 28: Deadline for receipt of requests for absentee ballots by the Board of Elections is 5 p.m., Oct. 28.
Wednesday, Oct. 29: To vote or not to vote? That is the discussion question at Warren Wilson College at 7 p.m. in Canon Lounge (in the cafeteria building).
Saturday, Nov. 1: Meet-and-greet breakfast for Democratic candidates for Buncombe Board of Commissioners, 8 to 9:30 a.m. at Asheville High School Cafeteria; contact 274-4482.
Saturday, Nov. 1: Last day to vote early! One-Stop Early Voting ends at 1 p.m.
Tuesday, Nov. 4: General Election Day! Polls will be open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Tuesday, Nov. 4: Republican Party Election Victory Celebration, beginning at 7:30 p.m., at Magnolia’s Bar and Grill, 26 Walnut St., Asheville. Watch the election results after the polls close.
For information about voter registration, absentee ballots or other election questions, call your county board of elections (in Buncombe County, call 250-4200). Send calendar listings of events open to the public in writing to Nelda Holder at nholder@mountainx.com, or PO Box 144, Asheville, NC 28802.