Damaged roadways, mudslides and unstable ground have made it difficult to get supplies to those in Western North Carolina. The above photo is a section of I-40 near Black Mountain. (Photo: NCDOT)
Staff in Buncombe County, home to Asheville at center of storm damage, mailed ballots amid rescue efforts
Election workers in a western North Carolina county devastated by Hurricane Helene continued to drop ballots in the mail amid rescue and recovery efforts Monday.
And the North Carolina State Board of Elections is convening in an emergency meeting this afternoon, with many of the western counties navigating floods, poor cell service and rescue efforts just weeks before the battleground state’s November election.
Corinne Duncan, elections director for Buncombe County — home to Asheville and one of the epicenters of storm damage — told NC Newsline that the personal safety of election staff was currently top priority.
“We are working to account for all staff and board members,” Duncan said. “Some are stranded due to road blockage.”
The county’s election facilities in Asheville were not damaged, she said. They have power, but currently no water.
Post office services remain suspended in a number of rural communities, but Duncan said theirs was still operating.
“We dropped 200 ballots in the mail today,” she said.
Officials have yet to determine how early voting locations will be assessed. Duncan said the county “hopes to have more guidance” after the 4 p.m. state board meeting.
Buncombe County is the 7th-most populous county in North Carolina and home to UNC-Asheville.
This is a developing story and will be updated.