The controversial author will give a free and public speech titled “Public Events, Private Lives: Literature + Politics in the Modern World” at UNC Asheville on Thursday, Feb. 18,
86-year-old voter turned down by DMV to get photo ID Friday
86-year-old Reba Miller Bowser went to the Patton Avenue DMV office on Monday to get a photo ID so that she could vote in North Carolina’s March 15 primary. Though she had all the documents listed on the DMV’s list of required identification, the lifelong voter nonetheless left empty-handed. State DMV officials now say Bowser should not have been turned down, and have arranged for a mobile unit to visit her home on Friday.
A bouquet of democracy
Take a bite out of balance
Rev. William Barber outlines voter empowerment campaign
Rev. Dr. William Barber outlined a joint campaign launched by the North Carolina NAACP and Democracy NC to empower voters through supporting access to voting and providing education on key issues.
Primary battles 2016: May the best candidates win
Traditionally, even-year elections in North Carolina have been held the first Tuesday in May (the primary) and the first Tuesday in November (the general). For the next cycle, however, new state law has moved the primary up six weeks to Tuesday, March 15. This change will mostly affect the presidential primaries, probably bringing more candidates to […]
DeBruhl announces run against Newman for chair of Buncombe Commissioners
DeBruhl will likely face off against Commissioner Brownie Newman, who was elected vice chair of the Board earlier this week and announced his intent to run for chair earlier this year.
Confusion at polls feared as new voter ID law takes effect
With a primary election less than four months away, North Carolina officials are scrambling to get ready for a controversial state law requiring photo IDs at the polls, even as a lawsuit challenging its constitutionality remains unresolved. Voting rights advocates fear the changes in how the state’s elections are conducted will create confusion among voters […]
Buncombe Commissioners elect Newman as vice chair, vote for zoning additions
At the Tuesday, Dec. 1 Buncombe County Board of Commissioners meeting, Commissioner Brownie Newman was elected vice chair of the board by a 4-3 vote.
Faces in the crowd: WNC crowdfunding initiatives
Each week, Xpress highlights notable WNC crowdsourcing initiatives that may inspire readers to become new faces in the crowd. This week features local band Lyric’s forthcoming EP plus one cat lover’s cozy and eco-friendly invention for felines.
Dollar for dollar: How dueling PACs targeted City Council election
State-level PACs don’t typically get heavily involved in campaigning for municipal candidates. But, as in so many things, Asheville broke the mold.
The biggest loser
Meet the new council: Asheville elects Young, Haynes, Mayfield to city office
The 2015 Asheville City Council election was a nail-biter until the very end — but, ultimately, Keith Young, Brian Haynes and Julie Mayfield came out on top.
It’s the Most Wonderful Time of Next Year…
Young, Haynes and Mayfield win seats on Asheville City Council
While early voting results showed candidates Julie Mayfield, Keith Young and Marc Hunt in the lead, results quickly moved all up and down the board. Ultimately, Vice Mayor Hunt lost his bid for re-election, and Young, Haynes and Mayfield (in that order) won Ashevilleans’ votes and the three City Council seats.
Town of Woodfin bond referendum
Town of Woodfin $4.5 million dollar bond For more information click the graphics below: Xpress: Big Funding, Big Debt
Faces in the crowd: WNC crowdfunding initiatives
Each week, Xpress highlights notable WNC crowdsourcing initiatives that may inspire readers to become new faces in the crowd. This week features two geographically dispersed musicians’ quest to record co-written songs plus a newly formed nonprofit aimed at changing politics across the state.
Election Rejection Dejection
Food for thought: City Council candidates weigh in on local food policy
From improving food access to supporting urban agriculture, the six Asheville City Council candidates shared their views on local food issues at a recent forum hosted by the Asheville Buncombe Food Policy Council.
Small-scale democracy: Small town elections offer intriguing possibilities, but few options
“The best cure for the ills of democracy is more democracy.” — Edward Abbey, A Voice Crying in the Wilderness The affluent little town of Chevy Chase, Maryland, population 2,918, was rocked earlier this year when a surprise write-in candidate garnered 168 votes to displace an unopposed incumbent. The town attorney and Ethics Commission were […]
Asheville City Council general election guide
Six candidates of the original 15 remain after the Oct. 6 primary election: Brian Haynes, Marc Hunt, Rich Lee, Julie Mayfield, Lindsey Simerly and Keith Young. Of those six, only three will be elected to Asheville City Council on Tuesday, Nov. 3 — and, based off of the primary’s close numbers, it’ll likely be a fight to the finish.