Early voting for May 8 primary starts today

Posted on by David Floyd
EARLY BIRDS: County residents can cast a ballot in advance of the May 8 primary at any of the eight early voting sites. Map data courtesy of Google Maps

Early voting for the May 8 primary in Buncombe County begins Thursday, April 19, and will extend through Saturday, May 5.

Voters in Buncombe County can cast a ballot at one of eight sites:

  • Asheville Mall, 3 S. Tunnel Road, Asheville
  • Black Mountain Branch Library, 105 N. Dougherty St., Black Mountain
  • Dr. Wesley Grant Sr. Southside Center, 285 Livingston Road, Asheville
  • Enka/Candler Branch Library, 1404 Sand Hill Road, Candler
  • North Asheville Branch Library, 1030 Merrimon Ave., Asheville
  • South Buncombe Branch Library, 260 Overlook Road, Asheville
  • Weaverville Town Hall, 30 S. Main St., Weaverville
  • West Asheville Branch Library, 942 Haywood Ave., Asheville

The Dr. Wesley Grant Sr. Southside Center is the only site that will open on April 19. Voting at the remaining sites will begin on Saturday, April 28.

During the early voting period, people can also register to vote at any of the above sites and vote on the same day. People who want to use same-day registration must complete a voter registration application and bring an official proof-of-address for Buncombe County. Eligible documents include a North Carolina drivers license or other government-issued photo ID. A copy of a current utility bill, a bank statement, paycheck or government check are also eligible forms of ID.

Several vital seats in local government are up for grabs this year. The results of the primary election are likely to decide which of two Democrats — Ben Scales or incumbent Todd Williams — will be the county’s district attorney, since no Republican or unaffiliated candidates have filed to run. Additionally, five Democrats are vying for their party’s nomination for county sheriff. The winner will face a Republican and Libertarian challenger.

PICK A DATE: The Dr. Wesley Grant Sr. Southside Center, the county’s main voting site, will be open starting on April 19. Times for all voting sites are listed above. Image courtesy of Buncombe County.
PICK A DATE: The Dr. Wesley Grant Sr. Southside Center, the county’s main voting site, will be open starting on April 19. Times for all voting sites are listed above. Image courtesy of Buncombe County.

Three of the seven seats on the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners are also up for grabs this year. Three Democrats in district 3 are vying for the chance to face incumbent Robert Pressley, and four Democrats are fighting for Ellen Frost’s district 2 seat, which she will be vacating at the end of her term. The winner of that race will face Republican Glenda Weinert. Incumbent commissioner Al Whitesides is also up for election this year, but he doesn’t face a challenger in either the primary or general election.

For seats in the U.S. House of Representatives, incumbent 10th district Rep. Patrick McHenry faces five Republican challengers, and three Democrats are jostling for the opportunity to face incumbent 11th district Rep. Mark Meadows. Meadows also has a challenger in the Republican primary for his seat.

Xpress will publish a voter guide for the sheriff and DA races in our Wednesday, April 25, edition, and a guide for the races for county commission and U.S. House of Representatives in our Wednesday, May 2, edition. All voter guides will be published online on April 25.

For a map of early voting sites and their hours of operation, visit the North Carolina State Board of Elections portal here.

Editor’s note: This article was updated on April 23 at 9:40 a.m. to clarify the day that remote voting sites open.

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About David Floyd
David Floyd was a reporter for the Mountain Xpress. He previously worked as a general-assignment reporter for the Johnson City Press.
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