Buncombe County Releases Voting Information Ahead of 2026 Primary

This week, the Buncombe County Board of Elections released election administration ahead of the 2026 primary. This is the key information Buncombe County voters need to have to cast their ballot this March.  

North Carolina’s Primary Election Day is March 3, and early voting begins on Feb. 12. See the official election notice here for details and local offices on the ballot. If you have questions about your jurisdiction or want to see a sample ballot, click the “Voter Information” link on  at buncombenc.gov/vote. 

Registering to vote 

This year’s Primary Election is March 3.  Registering to vote will make sure you help decide the elected officials who will create policies that affect your day-to-day life. The deadline to register for the primary election is Feb.6 at 5 p.m. Click here for more details on registering to vote. 

Note: You can register and vote with same-day registration during Early Voting, Feb.12- Feb. 28. You will need to provide an acceptable photo ID and proof of residence.   

If you don’t know if you are registered to vote or whether your voter information is correct, you can find out through the North Carolina State Board of Elections voter search tool. If you’re already registered, you can find your voting location, election jurisdictions, sample ballots, and other information there. 

If you are not registered to vote, the qualifications to register in NC are: 

• Be a U.S. citizen. 

• Be at least 18 years old. 

• Be a resident of North Carolina, Buncombe County, and your precinct for at least 30 days prior to the election. 

• Not be in jail or prison or serving parole for a felony conviction. You may find information about that process here. 

Meet all the qualifications? Download the online form to register and mail it to the address below by Feb. 6 at 5 p.m. 

• Buncombe County Election Services 

• P.O. Box 7468, Asheville, NC 28802 

Or stop by and register in person at our office: 

• 35 Woodfin St., Asheville, NC 28801 (Note: This is a new location in the Government Services Center) 

Register to vote or update registration electronically at the NCDMV 

The State Board of Elections and N.C. Division of Motor Vehicles (NCDMV) launched a service to allow NCDMV customers to apply to register to vote or update existing voter registration information online. 

This is a standalone service that does not require the user to complete an NCDMV transaction, such as a license renewal or duplicate, at the same time and at no cost to the voter. 

Existing NCDMV customers with a North Carolina driver’s license or NCDMV-issued ID may apply to register to vote or update voter name, address, or political party affiliation through the NCDMV Voter Registration web page. 

Important dates: 

Jan. 12: Absentee voting begins 

Feb. 6: Voter registration deadline 

Feb. 12: Early Voting begins 

Feb. 17: Last day to request absentee ballot 

Feb. 28: Early Voting ends 

March 3: Election Day 

March 13: Canvass 

Three ways to vote in NC 

1. Early Voting 
Early voting allows any registered voter to cast an absentee ballot in person on select days prior to Election Day. Voters may vote at any of the 11 early voting  locations. For the Primary Election, Early Voting will run Feb.12-Feb.28. There will be no Early Voting on the first weekend Feb. 14-15. Hours are 8 a.m.-7:30 p.m., Monday-Friday and 10 a.m.-3 p.m. on Feb. 21-22, and 8 a.m.-3 p.m. on the last day Feb. 28. Download the schedule here. 

Early Voting Locations: 

1. Black Mountain Library – 105 N. Dougherty St., Black Mountain 28711 

2. East Asheville Library– 3 Avon Road, Asheville 28805 

3. Enka-Candler Library – 1404 Sand Hill Road, Candler 28715 

4. Fairview Library – 1 Taylor Road, Fairview 28730 

5. Leicester Community Center – 2979 New Leicester Highway, Leicester 28748 

6. North Asheville Library – 1030 Merrimon Ave., Asheville 28804 

7. South Buncombe Library – 260 Overlook Road, Asheville 28803 

8. Upper Hominy Fire Station – 1795 Pisgah Highway, Candler 28715 

9. Weaverville Community Center – 60 Lakeshore Drive, Weaverville 28787 

10. Wesley Grant Southside Center (in lieu of BOE)– 285 Livingston St., Asheville 28801 

11. West Asheville Library – 942 Haywood Road, Asheville 28806 

During scheduled Early Voting times, we offer a tool that tells you in real time, how many voters are in line at each location. The wait map will be available during Early Voting. Check it out here before you head out the door. 

2. Absentee voting 

Absentee-by-mail voting begins Monday, Jan. 12. Request an absentee ballot now by completing an Absentee Ballot Request form. The deadline to submit an Absentee Ballot Request Form is Feb. 17 at 5 p.m.  Tuesday, March 3 at 7:30 p.m. is the deadline to return an absentee ballot. 

Any North Carolina registered voter may request, receive, and vote an absentee ballot-by-mail. No special circumstance or reason is needed. Registered voters in North Carolina must request an absentee ballot with an official N.C. Absentee Ballot Request Form. There are two ways to access and submit the form: 

Online - Request an Absentee Ballot at the N.C. Absentee Ballot Portal. 
On paper - print the online N.C. Absentee Ballot Request Form for 2026 currently available on our website.   

If you don’t have a printer, you may complete an absentee ballot request form at the Election Services office at 35 Woodfin St., Asheville, 28801, or call (828) 250-4200 and one will be mailed to you. 

For active-duty military, their family members, and U.S. citizens living abroad, click here. If you have questions about that process, you may call us at (828) 250-4222 or visit buncombenc.gov/vote. 

You may return the request in one of the following ways: 

Mail it to: 

P.O. Box 7468, Asheville, NC 28802 

Hand deliver it to: 

Our office at 35 Woodfin St., Asheville, NC 28801 (Note: This is a new location in the Government Services Center) 

Note: The Absentee Ballot Request Form may not be emailed or faxed. Request forms that are hand delivered to the office must be returned only by the voter or the voter’s near relative or legal guardian or, if you are not the voter or the voter’s near relative or legal guardian, the voter requested your assistance returning their request due to disability. 

Returning an Absentee Ballot: 

The deadline for returning your completed absentee ballot is Tuesday, March 3 at 7:30 p.m.; however, voters are encouraged to return the ballot as early as possible. Voters are now required to provide a copy of an acceptable photo ID when they return their absentee ballot. Specific instructions are provided on the return envelope. You may return your ballot in one of the following ways: 

By mail: Absentee ballots may be mailed to P.O. Box 7468 Asheville, NC 28802. Ballots must be received by Election Day, March 3, 2026 at 7:30 p.m. Postmarked dates are not considered. 

 
At an Early Voting site: Absentee ballots may be returned to an Early Voting site during the Early Voting period, but not at a voting location on Election Day. (Voters will be directed to the Early Voting Help Desk to return an absentee ballot.) 

 
In person: Absentee ballots may be returned in person to our office at 35 Woodfin St., Monday-Friday, from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Absentee ballots may only be returned by the voter or the voter’s near relative or legal guardian or, if you are not the voter or the voter’s near relative or legal guardian, the voter requested their assistance returning their ballot due to disability. 

For more information about absentee voting, visit the North Carolina Board of Elections website.  

3. Primary Election Day, Tuesday, March 3 

On March 3, polls are open 6:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m. Anyone in line by 7:30 p.m. will have the chance to vote. 

Make sure you know your assigned voting location if you are casting a ballot on Election Day. If you need help finding your voting location, enter your name at the Voter Search Tool. 

What's new? 

Voter ID: A new state law means new changes to how you vote. Voters are required to present photo identification when you go to the polls. Please review this information so that your ability to vote will not be affected. Below you will find information from the State Board of Elections on what IDs will be accepted, how to get a photo ID, how to vote without a photo ID, and more. Get a free voter photo id at Election Services at 35 Woodfin St., Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. (Note: This is a new location in the Government Services Center) 

Curbside voting 

Curbside voting is available in North Carolina for those who are unable to go inside the voting location due to age or disability. Just pull up to the curbside voting sign, and an election official will come out and assist you. Curbside voting is available during Early Voting and on Election Day at all voting locations. Anyone voting curbside will also be asked to provide an acceptable photo ID. 

Poll Workers needed for Election Day 

Are you interested in earning money while supporting the democratic process? Buncombe County Election Services is looking for poll workers for the 2026 Primary Election, especially for Election Day on March 3. It’s a rewarding way to serve our community while supplementing your income. 

Representation from both the Democrat and Republican parties is an important part of the process and is statutorily required. While the Constitution Party and other parties are now recognized by the state, representation is statutorily required only for the two parties with the largest memberships. 

For more information about working Buncombe County elections, contact the recruiting department at (828) 250-4224 or learn more about poll worker employment opportunities here.