Buncombe County elections board adopts 13-site early-voting plan, adds Upper Harmony

The Buncombe County Board of Elections on June 29 approved an early-voting plan amended to include Upper Harmony as a 13th site for the fall general election. Board members approved the final plan by voice vote after staff outlined site options, schedules and cost estimates.

Executive Director Karine Duncan turned the meeting over to staff for a presentation. Maggie Fox, a staff member, said the administration initially recommended 12 early-voting sites based on an online survey and proposed opening the first Saturday (Oct. 17) plus two additional weekend dates; weekday hours would remain the statutorily required 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Fox said, “we are still recommending 12 early voting sites for the upcoming general election in the fall based on online survey feedback,” and described a map placed on the boardroom table showing proposed locations.

Fox reviewed confirmed and potential sites, citing AB Tech campus, Big Ivy Community Center, the Bob Lewis ballpark mobile unit, and Warren Wilson/Upper Harmony among others. She reported a vendor estimate of about $8,000 per week for a mobile voting RV, saying that figure “does not include additional expenses like fuel” and noting the county would be responsible for damage and would need to add the vehicle to its insurance coverage. Fox also advised the unit would remain at a single location during deployment and that observers and storage would present operational challenges.

Board members pressed staff on trade-offs. One member noted rental comparisons—retail sites previously cost around $6,000 for a weekend while a civic center rental had been roughly $10,000 and had been paid from a grant. Staff said libraries typically do not charge for use. Members raised concerns about the RV creating a check-in bottleneck (the unit can support only two check-in stations) and about fuel and staffing costs.

Several members advocated adding Upper Harmony because it serves a remote, growing precinct. Staff said the precinct’s registered voters increased from about 4,169 in 2012 to about 4,521 currently (an increase of roughly 400) and cited past turnout figures — about 1,232 votes when the site was used in a 2012 presidential election and 283 votes in a recent two-and-a-half-week period. Supporters said adding Upper Harmony could serve voters who otherwise travel long distances; opponents warned the site is not on a transit route and could be hard to staff.

A committee member moved to approve the early-voting plan as proposed by staff. After discussion and a voice vote, some members opposed the plan as presented. The board then approved an amendment to add Upper Harmony as a 13th site; the amended plan was adopted by unanimous voice vote. The board noted the added site increases management and staffing responsibilities and urged political parties and staff to ensure adequate observers and poll workers.

The board set its next meeting for July 14 at 3:30 p.m., recessed for a closed session to consult with counsel under North Carolina General Statute 143-318.11(a)(3), returned to open session and adjourned.

What’s next: The elections office will finalize the list and schedule of early-voting locations, confirm contracts and insurance for any mobile unit if pursued, and continue outreach so voters in newly added or remote sites are informed of availability.