Get Ready to Vote in 2020!

General Questions about the 2020 Election
When is the 2020 election?

The 2020 primary election will take place on March 3, 2020.

The 2020 general election will take place on  November 3, 2020. 

What about early voting - when and where does that happen?

Locations and times for early voting are listed at this link: https://www.buncombecounty.org/Governing/Depts/election/earlyvoting.aspx

Where is my polling place on Election Day?

You can look up your voter registration and find where your polling place is located: https://www.ncsbe.gov/webapps/voter_search/

What if I need to register to vote?

You need to fill out a registration form if you haven’t registered before or if you need to update your address or party membership since the last time you registered.

You can look up your voter registration status here: https://www.ncsbe.gov/webapps/voter_search/

You can download a voter registration form and get more information here: 
https://www.buncombecounty.org/Governing/Depts/Election/RegistrationRequirements.aspx

Do I need photo ID to vote?

NC laws now require an ID to vote. The State Board of Elections provides this overview:
  • Beginning in 2020, when you present to vote, you will be asked to show photo ID
  • If you do not show photo ID, you may vote provisionally. Your provisional ballot will count if you bring acceptable photo ID to your county board of elections office before canvass, or if you sign an affidavit declaring that a reasonable impediment prevented you from showing photo ID
  • If you vote by mail, you must enclose a copy of your photo ID unless you sign an affidavit declaring that a reasonable impediment prevented you from enclosing a copy of your photo ID.
  • You can obtain a free photo ID at your county board of elections office any time until the Friday before the election.

Clear as mud?  Here’s the information from the State Board of Elections on Voter ID: https://www.ncsbe.gov/Voter-ID

For the record, we do not support voter ID laws. 

Voting for buncombe county commissioner

A lot of folks we’ve met have questions about what district they live in. Here are answers to those and other questions. 

​What's going on with County Commission districts?

Good question. Due to a 2011 state law, Commission districts are coupled to NC General Assembly districts, which were recently ruled to be unconstitutional by a NC court (due to partisan gerrymandering) and are in the process of being redrawn. We'll be sharing updates during this process and once maps are finalized.

How do I know what district I live in?

You can look up your voter registration here and see what County Commission district you’re in at this link:
https://www.ncsbe.gov/webapps/voter_search/

How many County Commissioners are there? 

Buncombe County Commission has seven members total. There are three districts, which each elect two commissioners and the Chair of the County Commission whose “district” is the entire county.

How many people do I vote for for County Commission?

In 2020, voters will elect one member to the commission from each of the three districts and also will elect a Chair for the Commission. Each voter in Buncombe County will vote for one person from the district they live in and everyone will also vote for the Chair.
​