In response to Tropical Storm Helene, the Buncombe County Board of Elections approved new times and locations for early voting under authority of an emergency resolution by the North Carolina State Board of Elections (NCSBE). On Oct. 7, the NCSBE authorized Buncombe and a dozen other counties that were “severely disrupted” by Tropical Storm Helene to modify election procedures. The local resolution established daily early voting hours of 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., from Oct. 17 through Nov. 1, including weekends. Voting will begin at 9 a.m. on Nov. 2, the last day of early voting, but per state law the polls will close at 3 p.m. that day. “We’ve got a new early voting plan,” said Buncombe Board of Elections Chair Jake Quinn. “Please everybody, spread the word.” Buncombe County is in the initial stages assessing the status of its 80 election day polling places and contacting many poll workers. Early voting requires fewer locations and poll workers, and the County Board of Elections’ changes approved on Oct. 8 are intended to maximize voter access. Voters can choose any early voting location that is convenient to them. Approved locations Black Mountain Library, 105 N. Dougherty St., Black Mountain East Asheville Library, 3 Avon Road, Asheville Enka-Candler Library, 1404 Sand Hill Road, Candler Fairview Library, 1 Taylor Road, Fairview Leicester Community Center, 2979 New Leicester Hwy., Leicester South Buncombe Library, 260 Overlook Road, Asheville UNCA Health & Counseling Center, 118 W.T Weaver Blvd., Asheville (new location) Weaverville Community Center, 60 Lakeshore Drive, Weaverville Dr. Wesley Grant Southside Center, 285 Livingston St., Asheville (in lieu of Board of Elections location) West Asheville Library, 942 Haywood Road, Asheville For more information, go to www.buncombecounty.org/vote.