Board approves two-year appointments for precinct judges; staff outlines selection process

The Buncombe County Board of Elections approved staff recommendations for two-year precinct judge appointments covering Aug. 2025 through July 2027.

Staff presentation and selection criteria

Karen (elections appointments lead) told the Board the appointment process begins with party chairs sending nominations for chief and party judges. She said her office prioritizes experienced chief judges, seeks candidates who live in or near the precinct (the statute gives preference for in-precinct service), and contacts nominees to confirm availability and comfort with required duties (including laptop use).

Karen said she places nominees who are not selected as chiefs into party-judge or assistant roles when possible and that she had contacted every person on the recommended list to confirm willingness to serve. She described the legend on the recommended roster: blue for Democrats, red for Republicans and beige for unaffiliateds; an asterisk indicated confirmed availability.

Board vote and next steps

A board member moved approval of the staff recommendation for precinct judges for the two-year term; another board member seconded. The Board voted by voice and recorded the motion as approved. Staff said training and any further slots for the municipal and primary elections would be filled from the roster of nominees and from party-submitted names as needed.

Ending

Karen said she would continue outreach to fill outstanding vacancies and will provide finalized rosters to the Board ahead of training; the Board directed staff to proceed with the appointments.