Leicester, North Carolina Public Records

Local residents can register to vote online through the North Carolina State Board of Elections website at www.ncdot.gov/dmv or www.ncsbe.gov. North Carolina offers same-day registration during the early voting period, allowing eligible residents to register and vote simultaneously. The regular registration deadline is 25 days before an election. Applicants must be U.S. Citizens, North Carolina residents, at least 18 years old by the next general election, and not serving a felony sentence, including probation or parole. Photo ID is not required for registration but is required to vote in person under state law, which accepts driver's licenses, passports, military IDs, tribal enrollment cards, and free voter photo ID cards issued by county boards of elections. Because this community is unincorporated, there are no municipal elections for mayor or city council. Residents vote in Buncombe County and state elections, including races for county commissioners, sheriff, register of deeds, and other county offices. The Buncombe County Board of Commissioners consists of seven members elected on a partisan basis to staggered four-year terms. Residents can find their assigned polling place using the Voter Search tool at www.ncsbe.gov/voting/find-your-polling-place by entering their name and date of birth or address. The tool displays the voter's precinct, polling location address, and hours. The area is divided into several voting precincts, with polling places typically located at schools, community centers, and churches. Early voting is available at multiple locations throughout Buncombe County during the 17-day period before Election Day, including Saturdays. North Carolina makes various election records publicly accessible. Voter registration lists are public records available from county boards of elections, though they cannot be used for commercial purposes. Campaign finance reports for state and local candidates are searchable through the State Board of Elections website at www.ncsbe.gov/campaign-finance. Candidate filing information, including who has filed for which offices, is published online during filing periods. Election results by precinct are posted on the Buncombe County Board's website after each election. In the November 2024 presidential election, Buncombe County saw approximately 63% voter turnout, with roughly 142,000 votes cast out of approximately 225,000 registered voters. The county has historically shown higher turnout than the statewide average, reflecting strong civic engagement in the Asheville area. The November 3, 2026 general election will be significant for Leicester and Buncombe County voters. North Carolina will not have a U.S. Senate race in 2026 (the next Senate elections are in 2024 and 2028), but voters will decide numerous important contests. All 170 seats in the North Carolina General Assembly will be on the ballot, including State Senate District 49 and State House districts serving western Buncombe County. County-level races will include Buncombe County Commissioners, Sheriff, Register of Deeds, and other constitutional officers, many of which will be decided in 2026 depending on term schedules. North Carolina does not have gubernatorial elections in 2026 (the next governor's race is in 2028). Voters should check the Buncombe County Board's website closer to the election for a complete list of races and any local referenda. North Carolina offers absentee voting by mail for any registered voter. Requests for absentee ballots can be submitted online at www.ncsbe.gov beginning 60 days before an election. The completed ballot must be returned by mail or in person to the Buncombe County Board of elections by 5:00 PM on Election Day. Military and overseas voters have special provisions under the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA). Absentee ballot requests must include the voter's name, address, signature, and the election for which the ballot is requested.