Buncombe County elections staff fill numerous poll-worker vacancies ahead of primary

The Buncombe County Board of Elections on Jan. 28 reviewed and accepted a set of election‑day judge appointments meant to fill longstanding precinct vacancies ahead of the March primary.

Executive staff presented a table of new appointments, saying openings were filled wherever possible with same‑party workers and that many entries labeled “no appointment” on prior lists have now been assigned. Staff warned recruitment has been slower in South Asheville and Fletcher and said additional changes are expected in the weeks before election day.

Board members asked whether appointments made between regular cycles carry two‑year terms. Staff clarified these interim appointments are typically valid only for the immediate election and canvass; if a subsequent contested primary or runoff occurs, the appointing process would need to be repeated. A board member said this approach means the office will have to revisit certain precinct assignments before future canvasses.

The exchange included practical questions about how the party column on appointment lists should be read and why some slots showed no party: staff explained that those entries were vacancies with no prior appointee. The board thanked staff for the recruitment work and for ensuring party balance where possible.

No formal vote with a roll call tally on the appointments was recorded in the transcript; the report was provided for the board’s information and to close the loop on delegated authority.

The board is set to continue recruiting for understaffed precincts ahead of the primary and will monitor any remaining vacancies at upcoming meetings.