Elections staff to send legislators letter asking for extra provisional‑ballot research time

Elections staff asked the Buncombe County Board of Elections to send a letter to the county’s state legislative delegation seeking a change to the provisional‑ballot research window, expanding it from three to five days.

Staff said the change would ease pressures on a tightly timed post‑election research process and noted the State Board of Elections is supportive of extending the window. A draft letter would be tailored and sent to the board’s five local legislators (three representatives and two senators) in Raleigh.

“Now we’re saying, okay, give us two more days,” staff said, noting the change shortens the previous 10‑day window and that five days would still allow results to be reported more quickly. Board members discussed evidence that some portion of provisional workload remains resolved by election night via absentee and early‑voting tallies, and suggested the letter emphasize operational impacts and the benefit of faster results.

A motion to accept and send the letter was made and seconded on the record; staff will finalize the language and coordinate transmission to the delegation and the State Board as appropriate.

The board also discussed that the auditor’s incoming data request may provide further context about county practices and workload for use in legislative outreach.