ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — Nearly 132,000 Buncombe County voters cast ballots in Tuesday’s midterm election, surpassing the number who voted in 2018 and 2022.

And while Election Day is over, there’s still some counting to do.

Unofficial results show 131,897 people voted in Buncombe County, a turnout rate of 59.9%. That’s 11,339 more voters than in the 2022 midterm election and 12,099 more than in 2018.

Buncombe County Elections Director Corinne Duncan said things went smoothly at all 80 polling locations Tuesday, Nov. 3.

“It’s always rewarding to see so many people vote,” Duncan said. “Election Day is no small feat, but today went well, and I couldn’t be prouder.”

Here’s a look at Tuesday’s election by the numbers.

131,897: Total voters

Nearly six out of every 10 registered voters in Buncombe County cast ballots this year.

That’s about 9.4% more voters than in 2022, when 120,558 people voted.

In 2018, the county recorded 119,798 voters.

97,038: Early voters

Most Buncombe County voters didn’t wait until Election Day to cast their ballots.

Of the 131,897 people who voted, 97,038 did so during the early voting period. That’s about 73.6% of the total.

Another 30,317 voted in person on Election Day, accounting for about 23% of voters.

The remaining 4,542 voted absentee, representing about 3.4%.

59.9%: Voter turnout

More people voted this year than in either of the previous two midterm elections, but the turnout percentage tells a slightly different story.

In 2022, 57.6% of registered voters cast ballots. In 2018, the turnout rate was 60.4%, slightly higher than this year’s 59.9%.

Duncan noted that turnout percentages can change as the number of registered voters grows. Buncombe County’s voter rolls have expanded over the years.

80: Election Day polling locations

Voters headed to 80 polling locations across Buncombe County on Tuesday.

Duncan said Election Day went smoothly, thanks in large part to the poll workers, election officials, observers, public safety personnel and county and city employees who helped keep things running.

900: Provisional ballots

The counting isn’t quite finished.

Duncan said about 900 provisional ballots were cast in Buncombe County. Election officials will review each one to determine whether it can legally be counted.

Voters may cast provisional ballots for several reasons, including questions about their registration, not having an acceptable photo ID or going to the wrong polling location.

Only ballots determined to be eligible will be included in the certified results.

Election officials will also review absentee ballots that meet the deadline for correcting certain problems.

21: Votes separating a close race

One of the closest contests in Buncombe County is the Black Mountain Town Council race.

Unofficial results from the North Carolina State Board of Elections show John Richardson received 1,666 votes, just 21 more than C. Michael Sobol, who received 1,645.

Brittany W. Williams leads the four-candidate race with 3,047 votes. The top two finishers win seats on the council.

With provisional and qualifying absentee ballots still to be reviewed, the final margin could change.

2: Polling locations selected for an audit

Before the results become official, election workers will double-check the vote counts.

The State Board of Elections will randomly select two voting locations in Buncombe County for a hand count, as required by state law.

Bipartisan teams will count ballots by hand and compare their findings with the machine-tabulated results.

The audit is open to the public and is scheduled for 10 a.m. Monday, Nov. 9, in the downstairs boardroom at 35 Woodfin St. in Asheville.

Nov. 13: When the results become official

The Buncombe County Board of Elections is scheduled to certify the results at 11 a.m. Friday, Nov. 13.

Until then, all election results remain unofficial.

The canvass process includes reviewing provisional and qualifying absentee ballots, checking vote totals and completing required audits.

The certification meeting will be held at 35 Woodfin St. and can also be watched online at engage.buncombecounty.org/boardofelections.

Unofficial results are available through Buncombe County Election Services.

For Duncan, the election was a success, even if the work isn’t quite finished.

“We appreciate all the people who took time to cast their vote this midterm,” she said in her election night remarks.