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Board moves 25 death-related voter challenges to full hearing on Oct. 7
Summary
Buncombe County Board of Elections voted to advance 25 voter eligibility challenges alleging death to a formal hearing at its Oct. 7 meeting after a preliminary review found the challenge forms complete.
The Buncombe County Board of Elections voted to send 25 voter challenges alleging that voters were deceased to a full evidentiary hearing at its Oct. 7 meeting.
At a preliminary review, staff told the board the challengers filed forms alleging the same grounds used in an earlier set of challenges. Board chair Glenda and staff said the panel’s role at the preliminary stage was to check that forms were completed correctly and that probable cause existed to proceed. "Our job today at the preliminary hearing is just to determine whether there's probable cause to move to a full hearing," Corinne said, explaining the standard the board was applying.
Board members discussed name mismatches and other details in the packet and emphasized that a full hearing would allow the board to examine supporting evidence, including death certificates and other records. A board member asked staff to explain local handling of state-provided lists; staff said the county reviews a list from the State Board of Elections and does not remove registrants unless there is a perfect match on the state-supplied list. "If it's not a perfect match, we don't remove them," a staff member said.
A motion to move the 25 challenges to a formal hearing was made and seconded and carried on a voice vote; no opposed votes were recorded on the record. The board instructed staff to prepare the notice and agenda materials for the hearing, to be held on Oct. 7 in the boardroom where the meeting took place. Corinne confirmed the item will be added to the Oct. 7 agenda and said staff will publish required notices.
The board heard that many of the items in the packet included evidence (death certificates and related documentation) that will be central to the hearing. Members noted name discrepancies on several filings — differing first or middle names, maiden names and hyphenation — and said those issues will be addressed during the full proceeding.
The board chair acknowledged she was joining the meeting from a hospital waiting area and asked the board for patience while technical difficulties were resolved. Following the vote, board members discussed logistics for the formal hearing and next steps for staff to circulate hearing materials.
Votes at a glance - Motion: Move 25 death-related voter challenges to a full (formal) hearing on Oct. 7. Outcome: Approved (voice vote).
