BPR is answering listener queries about voting in this Fall’s election. This week’s question comes from a listener in Buncombe County who wants to know who and what is on their ballot.
“It depends” says Buncombe County’s Director ofElections Services, Corrine Duncan. “In North Carolina, US Senate and US House of Representatives will appear on everyone's ballot, but it really depends on where you live. There are many local races and many districts in North Carolina, and so the best thing to do is look up your sample ballot to see what races you qualify for based on where you live.”
Your Sample Ballot
To view sample ballots, registered voters must enter their information into the Voter Search and navigate to “Your Sample Ballot.” Voters can practice making selections with the accessible sample ballot: “Option 4” at the N.C. Absentee Ballot Portal.
Buncombe County has 80 precincts and 17 different ballots in this midterm election . Deputy Director of Elections Services Neggy Fox says the county will also provide sample ballots at the polls.
“One of the first things we do is ask folks when they're coming in - is to check out those sample ballots, make sure that they're ready to vote,” says Fox. We are also introducing this time around a QR code that people can scan and it'll bring up their sample ballot on their phone so they can have that with them when they vote or take it to do research.”
Both Fox and Duncan agree – looking up your sample ballot and doing your research before you vote – is the best way to be prepared at the polls.
Early voting sites and schedules and resources are different in each county, so check with your County Board of Elections. There is also a complete searchable list on the State Board of Elections website and you can find links to counties here in WNC at bpr.org/elections.
What other questions do you have about voting this November? BPR and America Amplified are answering your questions. Just text the letters BPR to 855-670-1777.
