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Buncombe County elections board moves seven precincts after storm damage; 4.1 shifted to Claxton Elementary
Summary
The Buncombe County Board of Elections on Dec. 8 approved multiple voting‑site relocations damaged or made unavailable by recent storms, including a resolution moving Precinct 4.1 from North Asheville Community Center to Claxton Elementary; board members discussed traffic, notice and whether moves should be permanent.
The Buncombe County Board of Elections voted Dec. 8 to relocate several voting sites that were damaged or made unavailable by Hurricane Helene and related facility changes, approving resolutions by voice vote that staff said are effective upon final state sign‑off.
The most notable change shifts Precinct 4.1 voting from the North Asheville Community Center to Claxton Elementary School, 241 Merriman Ave., a move presented by elections staffer Ryan. “We normally had voting there at the North Asheville Community Center…[but] Parks and Rec needed that facility to house some of their maintenance equipment,” Ryan said, recommending Claxton’s gym and parking as a suitable alternative.
Board members raised concerns about traffic and voter confusion; one member asked whether Claxton would be open on March 3 (primary day), and Ryan replied the school will be closed for the March primary. Staff said standard notice procedures will be used: postcards to every voter in the affected precinct, signage at the old location and newspaper and website postings.
Other relocations approved the same night included moves from St. George’s Episcopal Church to Malvern Hills Presbyterian, Beaver Dam Fire Department to North Asheville Library, Lakeview Senior Center to Black Mountain Library, Black Mountain Montessori School to St. James Episcopal Church, French Broad Fire Department to Alexander Baptist Church, and Reynolds Fire Department to Reynolds Middle School. Staff said most replacements are within one to two miles of former sites; where precinct geography required it, the county used out‑of‑precinct sites permitted under statute.
The board discussed whether changes should be treated as permanent or provisional. Staff said they recommended permanent designation unless the original facility becomes available again, in which case the board would revisit the location. The resolutions referenced North Carolina General Statute 160‑31‑128 (authority to establish or alter precincts) and compliance with notice requirements under Chapter 163.
The board approved each resolution by voice vote; no roll‑call tallies were recorded in the meeting transcript. Staff told the board they will notify the State Board of Elections and implement the public notice steps required by statute.
The board also asked staff to pursue follow‑up with Asheville officials about the loss of community‑center access and to report back if former sites become available.
