10.08.2024

Today’s Forecast

74º | 10% chance of precipitation
Sunrise 7:31 a.m. | Sunset 7:03 p.m.

Updates to voting plans in Helene’s aftermath

Changes to election planning in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene

Blurred background of a parking lot with an "I voted" sticker.

Hear the latest from our local and state boards of elections. | Photo by WStoday

During yesterday’s news briefing, we heard from Buncombe County Election Services Director Corinne Duncan about election planning in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. “I’m here to reassure our community that Buncombe County will vote,” said Duncan.

Buncombe County Election Services is now open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. to continue preparing for the General Election in November.

“Obviously, we no longer have access to the facilities or number of poll workers in our original plans,” Duncan shared, adding that although the Election Services office and all equipment are safe and unscathed, the county is working with the NC State Board of Elections to create a modified plan.

This afternoon, the Buncombe County Board of Elections will hold a public meeting to further discuss changes to its early voting plan and begin processing absentee ballots. The meeting will be held at the Election Services building at 59 Woodfin Pl. at 3:30 p.m.

State Board of Elections passes emergency resolution

The NC State Board of Elections met yesterday, Monday, Oct. 7, approving a list of measures to ensure voting is accessible to voters in 13 WNC counties, including Buncombe. The provisions make voting more accessible to those displaced by Hurricane Helene, allowing the county board of elections in these 13 WNC counties to modify early voting and Election Day plans to best serve voters.

Notably, absentee voters or their near relatives can now hand-deliver completed ballots to any county board of elections in NC by Election Day, whereas voters were previously restricted to their designated board of elections.

Important dates + information

Voter registration deadline: Friday, Oct. 11 (Note: You can also register in person during early voting.)
Early voting begins: Thursday, Oct. 17
Deadline to submit an absentee ballot request: Tuesday, Oct. 29 (Note: To meet the expected increase in demand for voting by mail, Election Services is increasing its capacity to process these ballots.)
Election Day: Tuesday, Nov. 5

More state-approved changes

Community

County updates + resources

The community has been showing up to help. | Photo via Highland Brewing

The following article is being updated on our website daily. We’ll include the latest news here, in our newsletter. Click the button at the bottom of this section to read the full story.

Monday, Oct. 7 updates

Buncombe County’s briefings are now held once per day at 11 a.m. You can livestream the updates on the Buncombe County Government Facebook page or tune into Blue Ridge Public Radio 88.1 FM or the iHeart radio stations, including 99.9, 104.3, and 105.1 FM and 570 AM.

Water restoration

A timeline for restoring the city’s water system was not provided, but completion is nearing on the North Fork bypass line, which officials have said is a major milestone. EPA officials are on-site at the North Fork Reservoir to provide resources and assistance for treatment. City and NCDOT contractors are making progress on large-scale repairs.

Nonpotable water availability

Nonpotable water for flushing toilets is now available at all City of Asheville and Buncombe County distribution sites. See all distribution sites.

Oxygen refilling + trash collection

News Notes

Transit

The ART bus service has resumed operations on a free, modified Sunday schedule, and all outbound trips will end at 5 p.m. ART will have flag-stop service, which means that you can board the bus anywhere that it is safe or accessible — in addition to designated stops. Learn more about flag-stop and the selected bus routes.

Community

If you need to report a missing person or request a wellness check, you can call NC 211 or text PERSON to 40403. You can also submit missing person reports or wellness check requests online.

Environment

If you have a well that was damaged or flooded (meaning that water was over the top of the well at any point during the storm), it will need to be disinfected. Call 828-250-5016 for Buncombe County to collect a water sample, and see instructions for disinfection.

Wellness

Nonprofit SeekHealing is offering free emotional first aid in the aftermath of Helene. Open Connection Practice circles will take place on Wednesdays and Sundays from 1 to 6 p.m. at the Asheville office (50 S. French Broad Ave., Ste. 300) and on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 12 to 5 p.m. in Waynesville (116 Depot St., Waynesville).

Community

Asheville Food and Beverage United created a resource document for food and beverage industry workers. The document includes links for government, corporate + nonprofit financial assistance, as well as work and housing relocation. You can sign up to stay connected to the document updates.

List

For those needing to give their clothes a wash, Authentic Asheville compiled a list of area laundromats that are open for business, as well as their hours and accessibility. The list includes Weaverville Laundromat, J+D Laundromat, Express Laundry, Pocket Change Laundry, and Pocket Change Drop-Off. Note: Basilica of St. Lawrence has laundry services, too.

Cause

After its primary location became inoperable, MANNA FoodBank secured a new warehouse for donations at 99 Broadpointe Dr. in Mills River. Donations are accepted Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Distribution is Monday-Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., at the WNC Farmers Market.

Drink

Breweries all over the country are pivoting the canning of beer to the canning of water to support the area. NoDa Brewing in Charlotte, Trve Brewing’s Colorado location, and others spoke with Southern Living about their partnership with Asheville Brewers Alliance and The Mule to distribute drinking water.

Concert

On Saturday, Oct. 26, Explore Asheville will present Concert for Carolina at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte. Luke Combs, Eric Church, Billy Strings, and James Taylor will headline the event supporting Hurricane Helene relief efforts in the Carolinas. Tickets go on sale Thursday, Oct. 10 at 10 a.m.

Cause

Culture

Your donation will help support communities across WNC. | Photo by Willow B.

Our 6AM City newsletters in Asheville, Greenville, Charlotte, Raleigh, Columbia, Charleston, Winston-Salem, and 21 other cities across the country are built around communities — and our hearts are heavy for our friends, family, and team members here in Asheville affected by the destruction of Hurricane Helene and its aftermath.

100% of donations will be sent to BeLoved Asheville, supporting food and water distribution, clothing and supply deliveries, and debris cleanup across the region. If you’re able, please consider helping us to support recovery efforts in Asheville and WNC. If you can’t, we’d love for you to share the link below with your network.

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The Wrap

City Editors Grace and Molly stand together in front of a suset.

Today’s edition by:
Molly + Grace

From the editor

We know you’re used to seeing just one of our faces at the bottom of the newsletter, but sharing all this information with you requires a team effort.

Thank you to everyone who responded to yesterday’s newsletter with questions. We’re working together to get you the information you need. As always, stay safe and well, Asheville.

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