Buncombe County Election Services Celebrates National Voter Registration Week

Absentee-by-mail ballots began going out September 4, 2026.

Buncombe County Election Services acknowledges National Voter Registration Week from September 14 through September 20 and urges all eligible Buncombe County residents to register to vote.

Registering to Vote

This year’s General Election is November 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 general election is October 9. For more details on registering to vote, go to www.buncombenc.gov/553/Register-to-Vote-or-Update-Registration.

Note: You can register and vote with same-day registration during Early Voting, October 15-31. 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 at vt.ncsbe.gov/RegLkup. 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 US citizen.
• Be at least 18 years old.
• Be a resident of North Carolina, Buncombe County, and your current address in 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 at www.ncsbe.gov/registering/who-can-register/registering-person-criminal-justice-system.

Meet all the qualifications? Download the online form at www.buncombenc.gov/DocumentCenter/View/508 to register and mail it to the address below by October 9, 2026. Same-day registration is available for eligible voters at any site during Early Voting.

• Buncombe County Election Services, PO Box 7468, Asheville, NC 28802

Or stop by and register in person at 35 Woodfin St., Asheville, NC 28801. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.- 5 p.m.

Election Services at the NCDMV

The State Board of Elections and NC 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.

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 at no cost through the NCDMV Voter Registration web page at www.ncdot.gov/dmv/offices-services/online/Pages/voter-registration-application.aspx.

Important Dates

• October 9: Voter registration deadline. Same-day registration is available for eligible voters at any site during Early Voting.
• October 15: Early Voting begins
• October 31: Early Voting ends
• October 20: Last day to request absentee-by-mail ballot
• November 3: Election Day/absentee ballot return deadline
• November 13: County Canvass Day (certified results)

Questions? Email [email protected] or call (828) 250-4200.