Board of Elections Meeting | June 23, 2026

The Buncombe County Board of Elections held a meeting on June 23, 2026, primarily focused on updates and planning for the upcoming election cycle. Key procurement-related discussions included the potential relocation of the election services warehouse and storage to the new JCPenney Building, which would consolidate equipment storage and improve accessibility and security. The board also reviewed the early voting plan, incorporating extensive public input gathered through a survey with over 1,000 participants. Staff proposed maintaining 12 early voting sites with adjusted weekend hours, including opening the first Saturday of early voting, and recommended adding the Friendship Center as a site based on public feedback. The board discussed exploring innovative options for mobile voting units, such as leasing an RV equipped for voting or using large tents, though costs and logistics remain uncertain and would be considered for future elections. A motion was passed to allow the board to vote on the early voting plan at a follow-up meeting scheduled for the following Monday, with a goal to finalize and submit the plan to the state by July 24. No specific contract awards or vendor selections were finalized during this meeting, but the discussions set the stage for future procurement decisions related to election infrastructure and services.