ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — Polls opened at 6:30 a.m. Tuesday across Buncombe County as voters head to the ballot box for North Carolina’s March 3 primary election.
Voting will continue until 7:30 p.m. at 80 polling places countywide. Voters who are in line by 7:30 p.m. will be allowed to cast a ballot.
North Carolina’s primary is part of the 2026 midterm election cycle, during which voters will nominate candidates ahead of the November general election. The primary determines party nominees for federal, state and local offices.
County election officials remind voters they must cast ballots at their assigned polling place. Voters can confirm their registration status, polling location, sample ballot and other details through the voter search tool maintained by the North Carolina State Board of Elections.
Absentee ballots must be returned by 7:30 p.m. Tuesday to be counted. Ballots must be delivered to Buncombe County Election Services at 35 Woodfin St. Postmarked ballots received after Election Day will not be accepted. Officials advise voters who have not yet mailed their absentee ballot to hand-deliver it to the elections office before the deadline.
More than 30,700 ballots were cast during the early voting period, which ended Saturday, surpassing early turnout in 2024, according to county officials.
Voter ID requirements
Under state law, voters are required to present an acceptable photo ID when voting in person. Most voters use a North Carolina driver’s license, but several other forms of identification are allowed.
Acceptable IDs include an unexpired — or expired for one year or less — North Carolina driver’s license or state ID card, a U.S. passport or passport card, certain out-of-state driver’s licenses for recently registered voters, approved student and government employee IDs and military or tribal enrollment cards with a photo. Voters 65 or older may use an ID that was unexpired on their 65th birthday.
Voters who cannot present an acceptable photo ID may still cast a ballot by completing an ID Exception Form. Permitted exceptions include reasonable impediments such as lack of transportation, illness or disability, lost or stolen ID, work or family responsibilities or pending ID applications. Religious objections to being photographed and recent natural disasters under an official declaration also qualify. Absentee voters who cannot include a copy of their ID may also complete an exception form.
Military and overseas voters casting ballots under special provisions must submit a photocopy of their ID or an ID Exception Form when returning their ballot.
Accessibility and curbside voting
All polling sites are equipped with accessible voting machines to assist voters with sight or hearing challenges. ExpressVote ballot-marking machines offer large print, high-contrast, Braille and audio features.
Curbside voting is available at every polling location for voters unable to enter the polling place due to age or disability. Designated parking spaces allow poll workers to assist voters at their vehicles. Language assistance is also available.
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