Letter writer: Make Pack Library a voting site for downtown residents

Posted on by Letters
Graphic by Lori Deaton

Not too long ago, Asheville voters went to the polls to elect new Council members.

For many low-income elders in Asheville who live in the downtown area, many without access to transportation and dependent on wheelchairs or walkers, getting to the polls was out of the question, even though Pack Library is practically next door, but isn’t utilized as a voting location.

Voting downstairs would be perfect for these disabled voters. The library has an elevator that will take voters to the basement. Elders downtown are familiar with their library and want to vote there.

What is perplexing is that instead of being able to vote next door, we have to go to Stephens-Lee Recreation Center to vote. Many of our residents don’t even know where Stephens-Lee is. It certainly isn’t next door.

I have been told that other county libraries are voting sites because they are regional libraries. Well, Pack Library is regional for downtown residents. Why not use this site so our elders, including myself, can vote there?

In addition to poor elders downtown, we also have hundreds of moderate- and upper-income people who live downtown.

I hope our Buncombe County Board of Elections will seriously consider making Pack Library a voting site in upcoming elections. As it is now, yes, voting is our right, but it certainly is also almost impossible for many in our downtown area.

Make Pack Library a voting site for downtowners!

— Rachael Bliss
Asheville

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2 thoughts on “Letter writer: Make Pack Library a voting site for downtown residents”

  1. Solutionist

    absentee ballots are always available sent to your door … and much easier.

  2. boatrocker

    No no no! For goodness sake don’t let people vote in a library! That’s where they keep that progressive dirty book learning! How can this town suck the teat of the Koch Bros and such if we are well informed?

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