There are dozens of local races on ballots across western North Carolina for the Nov. 2 election. From Murphy to the Outer Banks, people in North Carolina have already started voting early in hundreds of municipal contests.
Some elections planned for this year have been postponed to next year because of redistricting. Every 10 years, towns and cities that elect local leaders by district have to redraw their maps after The Census Bureau releases new population numbers. But the COVID-19 pandemic delayed the count, and the numbers came out much later than expected.
Statewide, there are more than 930 local elections scheduled for Nov. 2, many with early voting. More than 200 have been postponed to 2022.
Early voting for local races runs until Oct. 30.
Here are the races on the ballot this year for western North Carolina counties and information on how to vote in each county:
Buncombe
In Buncombe County, there are elections Nov. 2 for Weaverville mayor and town council along with seats on the Woodfin Board of Commissioners and the Woodfin Sanitary Water and Sewer District.
Buncombe County has early voting available at the Election Services warehouse (50 Coxe Ave., Asheville, 28801) and the county will have two additional sites open for early voting Saturday, Oct. 30 at the Woodfin Community Center (20 Community Road, Woodfin, 28804) and the Weaverville Community Center (60 Lake Shore Drive, Weaverville, 28787).
Get more information on voting from the Buncombe County Board of Elections.
Avery
Avery County has 13 local elections, including mayoral races for Newlands, Elk Park and Crossnor. Early voting is available in Avery County.
Get more information on voting from the Avery County Board of Elections.
Mitchell
Bakersville and Spruce Pine have elections for mayor and town council seats Nov. 2. There is no early voting in Mitchell County.
Get more information on voting from the Mitchell County Board of Elections.
Yancey
In Yancey County, only Burnsville has elections this year. Voters will cast ballots for mayor and town council Nov. 2. There is no early voting available.
Get more information on voting from the Yancey County Board of Elections.
McDowell
McDowell County has elections for mayor and aldermen in Marion and mayor and council members in Old Fort Nov. 2.
People can vote early at the McDowell County Board of Elections 2458 NC 226 S. in Marion or at the Old Fort Rockett Building, 55 East Main St. in Old Fort.
Get more information on voting from the McDowell County Board of Elections.
Madison
Hot Springs, Mars Hill and Marshall will all have elections for mayor and aldermen Nov. 2. Madison County does not offer early voting, according to the State Board of Elections.
Get more information on voting from the Madison County Board of Elections.
Rutherford
Rutherford County has 17 different local races up for election on Nov. 2, including mayors for Lake Lure, Forest City and Rutherfordton. The county does have early voting available at the Board of Elections office at 298 Fairground Rd. in Spindale.
Get more information on voting from the Rutherford County Board of Elections.
Polk
In Polk County, Columbus, Saluda and Tryon each have council or commission seats and mayoral elections Nov. 2. There is early voting at the Board of Elections Office at 40 Courthouse St. in Columbus.
Get more information on voting from the Polk County Board of Elections.
Henderson
There are 15 local elections in Henderson County Nov. 2, including mayors in Hendersonville, Saluda and Fletcher. There are also council districts up for election in Flat Rock Village, Fletcher and Mills River, along with other town councils. Early voting is available.
Get more information on voting from the Henderson County Board of Elections.
Transylvania
Transylvania County has elections for mayor and city council in Brevard and for the Rosman Board of Aldermen. Early voting is available at the Election Center Conference Room at 150 South Gaston St. in Brevard.
Get more information on voting from the Transylvania County Board of Elections.
Haywood
In Haywood County, voters will elect a mayor for Canton and choose aldermen in Canton, Clyde and Maggie Valley. Early voting is available in Haywood County.
Get more information on voting from the Haywood County Board of Elections.
Jackson
Jackson County has elections Nov. 2 for mayor and council members or commissioners in Dillsboro, Forest Hills, Highlands, Sylva and Webster. Early voting is available at the Board of Elections office in the Skyland Service Center at 876 Skyland Dr. in Sylva.
Get more information on voting from the Jackson County Board of Elections.
Swain
There is one election in Swain County for Bryson City Alderman on Nov. 2. Early voting is available in Swain County.
Get more information on voting from the Jackson County Board of Elections.
Macon
There are elections in Macon County for Franklin mayor and council member seats and for mayor and board of commissioners in Highlands. Early voting is available in Macon County.
Get more information on voting from the Macon County Board of Elections.
Graham
There are local elections in Fontana Dam, Lake Santeetlah and Robinsville on Nov. 2. Early voting is not available for the Fontana Dam mayoral and town council races, but people can vote early in the other elections, according to the State Board of Elections.
Get more information on voting from the Graham County Board of Elections.
Clay
In Clay County, only Hayesville has local elections this year, for mayor and council seats Nov. 2. There is no early voting in Clay County for the November election.
Get more information on voting from the Graham County Board of Elections.
Cherokee
In North Carolina’s westernmost county, there will be elections Nov. 2 for mayor and aldermen seats in Andrews and mayor and town council in Murphy. There is no early voting in Cherokee County.
Get more information on voting from the Graham County Board of Elections.