Election day May 6: Polls open across WNC

Early voting is underway as of Thursday, Oct. 20. Find out when and where you can early vote in Buncombe County.

Polls are open across Western North Carolina today, May 6, for voting in wide range of primary races, from congress to the county commission.

In recent weeks, Xpress has published several stories on some of the most important races in Buncombe County. For a compilation of all of the coverage, visit our Politics & Election page.

Here’s a few links to learn more about some of the key races and candidates:

District Attorney: The results of the May 6 Democratic primary will send either incumbent District Attorney Ron Moore or challenger Todd Williams to the fall election unopposed.

Buncombe County Commission: Buncombe County’s historic shift to a district election system continues this year as six candidates square off seeking four-year terms on the Board of Commissioners.

• In District 1, roughly equivalent to the city of Asheville, incumbent Democrat Brownie Newman is being challenged by Keith Young.

• In District 2, which encompasses Fairview, Black Mountain and Weaverville, Vice Chair Ellen Frost, a Democrat, faces a primary challenge from former Commissioner Carol Peterson.

• In District 3, which stretches from Arden to Sandy Mush, incumbent Republican David King is being challenged by Miranda DeBruhl.

District Court: 28th District Court Judge Ed Clontz faces two seasoned opponents: J. Matthew Martin, a former associate judge in the Tribal Court in Cherokee, and Thomas Amburgey, a Buncombe County assistant district attorney.

For information on races outside of Buncombe County, Carolina Public Press has a guide to candidates across WNC.

Polls are open May 6 from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. To find your voting location or view a sample ballot visit the N.C. Board of Elections website here. The Buncombe County Election Services Department also has helpful information here.

New this year: election officials will ask voters whether they have an acceptable form of photo identification, though voters will not be required to present one until January 2016. Voters who say they do not possess ID will be asked to provide contact information so the State Board of Elections can offer assistance obtaining the needed identification before 2016. A partnership with the State Board and the Department of Motor Vehicles allows voters to obtain free photo identification.

 

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About Jake Frankel
Jake Frankel is an award-winning journalist who enjoys covering a wide range of topics, from politics and government to business, education and entertainment.

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One thought on “Election day May 6: Polls open across WNC

  1. The new lines for Precinct 1.1 are awful. Elderly people in Vanderbilt and Battery Park Apartments have to vote in Stephen Lee Community Center. Most don’t have transportation. I took a number of residents with me today twice. I can’t understand why a better voting site isn’t possible for these low income persons. I also see that the Woodfin Street site (County building) is also a voting site. Why can’t our people vote there. The map shows us being in that precinct. It is very evident that our low income residents were squeezed into Congressional District 10. We stick out like a sore thumb on the precinct map. Our people need more accessible voting sites than we have now. What we have now is a disgrace. One of the voters I gave a ride to today said that it is evident “they” just don’t want us to vote.

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