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Board approves moving two low-turnout precincts to adjacent polling places for municipal election
Summary
The Buncombe County Board of Elections approved staff’s recommendation to consolidate two low-turnout municipal precincts (28.1 and 41.1) into neighboring precincts to improve staffing efficiency and voter privacy.
The Buncombe County Board of Elections voted to transfer two municipal precincts with historically low turnout into adjacent precincts for the upcoming municipal election.
Board member Mr. Quinn moved to approve the transfers as recommended by staff and a second was recorded; the motion carried with the board signifying "aye."
What changed
Staff proposed combining two low-participation precincts into adjacent locations for the municipal election: • Precinct 28.1 (Covenant Reformed Presbyterian Church / Flint Sanitary Water and Sewer District area, cited as having 247 eligible voters and turnout of 0–1 in past municipal contests) to be assigned to the adjacent Saint Eugene’s Church location (listed in materials as Precinct 5.1 / Saint James Church in one chart). • Precinct 41.1 (French Broad Fire Station area) moving 52 eligible voters to Erwin High School (listed as precinct 69.1 in staff documents).
Staff said the move is intended to reduce the logistical burden of staffing and to protect voter privacy when only one or two ballots would otherwise be cast at a lone precinct site; staff noted those voters will be notified by mail in advance and will retain absentee-by-mail and early-voting options.
Board action and process
Mr. Quinn moved approval of the shift "as recommended by staff." The board then seconded the motion and voted in favor; the clerk recorded the motion and asked for signatures on the paperwork immediately after the vote.
Ending
Staff will mail notices to affected voters and make available phone contact information for questions. The consolidation applies only to the municipal election and will be implemented for that contest.
