Buncombe Elections Announce Dates and Recruit Poll Workers for Primary
On Jan. 7 the Buncombe County Board of Elections released key election-administration information ahead of North Carolina’s March 3 primary, including registration and absentee deadlines and early voting windows. The county also is actively recruiting paid poll workers for Election Day and early voting, a move that affects staffing, voter access, and turnout across the county.
The Buncombe County Board of Elections on Jan. 7 released its election administration schedule and logistics for the 2026 primary, providing local voters with deadlines and timelines they will need to participate. North Carolina’s Primary Election Day is set for March 3, and early voting in Buncombe County will run from Feb. 12 through Feb. 28. Absentee voting begins Jan. 12, the registration deadline is Feb. 6, and the last day to request an absentee ballot is Feb. 17.
Alongside the calendar, county election officials provided the locations where early voting will be available and information on voter registration and absentee and early voting procedures. Those details are intended to help residents plan when and where to cast ballots and to reduce confusion at the polls as candidates finalize their campaigns in the weeks leading up to March 3.
A central concern for election administrators is staffing. Buncombe County Election Services is seeking poll workers, with a particular need for volunteers on Election Day, March 3. Working as a poll worker is paid and described by the county as a way to serve the community. The county said both major parties are represented at polling sites, reflecting the state’s requirements for party representation in administration of the vote. Residents interested in serving can contact the recruiting department at (828) 250-4224 for more information on opportunities and eligibility.
The county’s early release of dates and staffing needs matters to voters and civic organizations. Clear deadlines for registration and absentee requests are critical to ensuring ballots are delivered and counted, while a robust poll worker pool helps prevent delays, long lines, and possible reductions in polling hours. For communities with limited transportation or work-schedule constraints, awareness of the Feb. 12–28 early voting window can be decisive for participation.
As the primary approaches, Buncombe County’s election office will face logistical tests common to midwinter voting, including managing turnout across multiple sites and ensuring adequate, trained personnel at each location. Residents should review their registration status, note the Feb. 6 registration deadline, and plan whether to vote early in person or by absentee ballot well before Feb. 17. Those willing to staff polling places can call (828) 250-4224 to learn how to apply and help maintain the county’s capacity to administer a fair and accessible election.
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