Nearly 97,000 voters cast ballots in Buncombe County before Tuesday's election

Residents of Buncombe County, North Carolina, established a new milestone in civic participation this week. A total of 96,838 individuals cast their ballots during the early voting period, a number that exceeds any previous midterm total for the region. These votes were recorded before the official Election Day scheduled for Tuesday, November 3.

Buncombe County Elections Director Corrine Duncan confirmed the new benchmark. She noted that the 2022 midterm election saw approximately 70,000 early votes. The previous high for a midterm cycle stood at 78,000 ballots cast in 2018. The current figure places this year's turnout well above those prior baselines.

Crowds concentrated at specific locations to cast their ballots. The South Buncombe Library and the Weaverville Community Center recorded the highest volume of activity among early voting sites. These locations served as the primary hubs for the surge in voter engagement observed throughout the week.

With the election now two days away, local officials advise voters to verify their specific polling places before heading to the polls. Citizens must visit their designated location to receive the ballot corresponding to their precinct. North Carolina provides an online search tool for this purpose, and voters should bring an acceptable form of photo identification, such as a driver’s license.

Polling places will operate from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, November 3. Election officials emphasized that same-day registration will not be available on Election Day. Voters can review sample ballots on the North Carolina State Board of Elections website or contact the Buncombe County elections office for a full list of acceptable IDs.