Election 2026: Everything You Need to Know

Fall is in the air and that means election season is just around the corner. Get ready to vote in the 2026 Midterm General Election. See the official election notice here for details and local offices on the ballot. If you have questions about what's on the ballot, get your sample ballot from the Voter Search tool, click the “Voter Information” link at buncombenc.gov/vote.

Registering to vote

This year’s General Election is Nov. 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 Oct. 9. Click here for more details on registering to vote.

Note: You can register and vote with same-day registration during Early Voting, Oct. 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. 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 Oct 9, 2026. Same-day registration is available for eligible voters at any site during Early Voting.

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

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:

Sep. 4: Absentee Voting by mail begins

Sept. 15: National Voter Registration Day

Oct. 9: Voter registration deadline. Same-day registration is available for eligible voters at any site during Early Voting.

Oct. 15: Early Voting begins

Oct. 31: Early Voting ends

Oct. 20: Last day to request absentee-by-mail ballot

Nov. 3: Election Day/absentee ballot return deadline

Nov. 13: County Canvass Day (certified results)

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 13 early voting locations. Early Voting will run from Oct. 15-31.

Early Voting Hours

Early voting is available Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 17 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday and Sunday (Oct. 24 -25) from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and the last Saturday (Oct. 31) from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Download the Early Voting Flyer on our website.

Early Voting Locations:

Bee Tree Fire Station: 510 Bee Tree Road, Swannanoa, 28778
Black Mountain Library: 105 N. Dougherty St., Black Mountain, 28711
East Asheville Library: 3 Avon Road, Asheville, 28805
Enka-Candler Library: 1404 Sand Hill Road, Candler, 28715
Fairview Library: 1 Taylor Road, Fairview, 28730
Friendship Center: 142 Shiloh Road, Asheville, 28803
Leicester Community Center: 2979 New Leicester Highway, Leicester, 28748
North Asheville Library: 1030 Merrimon Ave., Asheville, 28804
South Buncombe Library: 260 Overlook Road, Asheville, 28803
Upper Hominy Fire Station: 1795 Pisgah Highway, Candler, 28715
Weaverville Community Center: 60 Lakeshore Drive, Weaverville, 28787
Wesley Grant Southside Center (in lieu of BOE): 285 Livingston St., Asheville, 28801
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-by-mail Voting

Absentee-by-mail voting begins Sep. 4. Request an absentee ballot by completing an Absentee Ballot Request form. The deadline to submit an Absentee Ballot Request Form is Oct. 20. Return absentee ballots by Election Day, Nov. 3.

Any North Carolina registered voter may request, receive, and vote an absentee ballot-by-mail for any reason. Registered voters in North Carolina must request an absentee ballot with an official N.C. Absentee Ballot Request Form.

Two Ways to Request Absentee Ballots:

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.

Two Ways to Return Absentee Ballot Requests:

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

Mail it to:

P.O. Box 7468, Asheville, NC 28802

Deliver in person to:

Our office at 35 Woodfin St., Asheville, NC 28801

Note: The Absentee Ballot Request Form may not be emailed or faxed. Hand delivered request forms 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 a Completed Absentee Ballot:

The deadline for returning your completed absentee ballot is Tuesday, Nov. 3 at 7:30 p.m. No ballots can be accepted after 7:30 p.m. on Election Day, including postmarked ballots. Voters are encouraged to return the ballot as early as possible. Voters are 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, Nov. 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.
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. Only the voter, their near relative, or their legal guardian may mail or hand-deliver an absentee ballot, unless due to a disability, the voter has requested that someone else to return their ballot.

Special Note for Active-Duty Military, Their Family Members, and U.S. Citizen Living Abroad

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.

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

3. Primary Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 3

On Tuesday, Nov. 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.

Vote at your assigned voting location on Election Day. If you need help finding your voting location, enter your name at the Voter Search Tool.

Note: Abiding Savior Lutheran Church, 801 Charlotte highway, Fairview, NC 28730 (Precinct 60.4) has changed to A.C. Reynolds High School, 1 Rocket Dr, Asheville, NC 28803. Abiding Savior Lutheran Church closed unexpectedly during the summer, so the Board of Elections voted to move Precinct 60.4 to AC Reynolds High.

Voter Photo Identification

Voters are required to present photo identification at 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)

Quick links to useful information

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. 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.

Helpful resources

Absentee Ballot Portal (N.C)
Absentee Ballot Request Form

Election Candidate and Media Guide (PDF)
Discover Buncombe Election and Property Information
Early Voting locations, times, and more
Election Services Website
Military and Overseas Voting Information
N.C. Board of Elections Website
Poll Worker Application
Register to Vote/Update Voter Information
Registering to Vote as a Person in the Criminal Justice System
Voter Search Tool
Voter Registration Application

Questions?

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

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