Early voting begins in North Carolina amid Hurricane Helene recovery efforts

BUNCOMBE COUNTY, N.C. (WLOS) — Thursday, Oct. 17, marked day one of early voting in North Carolina.

A total of 5,700 residents cast their ballots during in-person early voting in Buncombe County.

"There's a lot of people out there, it's really amazing," said Corinne Duncan, the director of elections for Buncombe County.

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Duncan believes that the community is eager to make their voices heard in the aftermath of Helene.

This perhaps motivated people to come out and I think that there’s a lot of feelings of community and coming together after a crisis like this and voting is another example of people coming together, and they are definitely showing that today heading out to the polls," she said.

Those who missed the deadline to register to vote can register at an early voting site during the early voting period.

You can also same-day register during early voting and so if you missed the registration deadline that was on the 11th, you can bring a photo ID and your proof of residency to early voting," Duncan said.

Many residents in Buncombe County are taking advantage of the chance to cast their ballot early.

Eric Souza and his wife were thrilled to cast their vote early.

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"She really wanted to come and vote today," he said. "First time voting with our two-year-old and our tenth-month-old. She's just very excited to vote today."

John Lambert, who lives in Asheville, added that this was an opportunity he simply couldn't pass up. He said he waited an hour in line to vote, but that it is a small price to pay to make sure his voice is heard.

It's only the most important election ever in our history for starters. Voting gives us an illusion of choice. Here I am doing my civic responsibility," he said.

In Buncombe County, early voting runs daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. including weekends until Saturday, Nov. 2 at 3 p.m.

Below is a list of the 10 locations to vote in Buncombe County:

• Black Mountain Library - 105 N. Dougherty St, Black Mountain, NC 28711
• East Asheville Library - 3 Avon Rd, Asheville, NC 28805
• Enka-Candler Library - 1404 Sand Hill Rd, Candler, NC 28715
• Fairview Library -1 Taylor Rd, Fairview, NC 28730
• Leicester Community Center - 2979 New Leicester Hwy, Leicester, NC 28748
• South Buncombe Library -260 Overlook Rd, Asheville, NC 28803
• UNCA Health and Counseling Center - 118 WT Weaver Blvd, Asheville, NC 28804
• Weaverville Community Center -60 Lakeshore Dr, Weaverville, NC 28787
• Dr. Wesley Grant Sr. Southside Community Center -285 Livingston St, Asheville, NC 28801
• West Asheville Library - 942 Haywood Rd, Asheville, NC 28806