Election Day 2022: Asheville-area updates on midterm voting

It's midterm Election Day, and Citizen Times reporters are out at voting sites, talking with people and keeping tabs on what's happening around the Asheville area.

We'll be posting updates here throughout the day until shortly after polls close at 7:30 p.m. and early voting results are released. After that, we'll have stories on the major races we're covering, including Asheville City Council, Asheville mayor, Asheville City Schools Board of Education, Buncombe County Commission, Buncombe County sheriff, U.S. House 11th District, and state House and Senate.

Reporter Sarah Honosky has put together a voting guide with everything you need to know as you head out to the polls.

What to know: Buncombe, Asheville Election Day 2022: What to know before you go

10 p.m.: Key races have been decided

All Buncombe County precincts have reported their results, and we have stories on some of the races we've been following.

Buncombe County sheriff:Miller victorious for 2nd term in Buncombe County Sheriff's race

Asheville City Council:Asheville council race: Ullman wins night, incumbents Smith and Mosley retain seats

Asheville mayor: Manheimer wins 3rd term; council member Roney trails with 45% of vote

Buncombe County bonds:As $70M Buncombe bond referendum gets green light from voters, how much will you pay?

Asheville City Schools Board:Asheville's 1st elected school board: Ray wins night with Thornburg, Strimer, English-Kelly

Buncombe Board of Commissioners:NC election results: Buncombe County commission all Democrats with Martin Moore victory

U.S. House 11th District:Republican Edwards cruises to 11th District US House seat win over Democrat Beach-Ferrara

7:35 p.m.: Early voting results are in

The polls are closed, and early voting results are in. Here are the early returns on some of the races we're following:

Asheville mayor

Asheville City Council

Asheville school board

Buncombe County Commission 01

Buncombe County Commission 02

Buncombe County Commission 03

Buncombe County sheriff

U.S. House District 11

U.S. Senate

N.C. Senate 46

NC Senate 49

NC House 114

NC House 115

NC House 116

Buncombe County school board Enka

Buncombe County school board Erwin

Buncombe County school board Reynolds

Buncombe County Open Spaces bond

Buncombe County Housing bond

6:40 p.m.: Update on disruption in West Asheville

Joel Burgess reports:

Police have confirmed they responded to a disruption at a West Asheville polling site where a witness told the Citizen Times a man harassed voters and got into a serious verbal altercation.

Asheville Police Department spokesperson Samantha Booth said someone not involved in the disruption called 911.

“I can confirm a report was made by a third party reporting a verbal disruption between a voter and campaigners had occurred outside of the voting precinct. When officers arrived on scene the involved parties were no longer present,” Booth told the Citizen Times.

Bo Hess, a former Democratic congressional candidate, was at the polling site and said the man returned to the polling site a few times and circled in his truck.

6:30 p.m.: 'Every vote matters'

In the afternoon at the Wesley Grant Southside Center, Amy Alday was entering the polling site south of downtown.

Alday, who tends to vote for Democrats, declined to name any candidates she was supporting but told reporter Joel Burgess she likely would likely vote for Democratic candidates. Asked if there was a particular issue that brought her to the polls, Alday said that in this election in particular “we are hearing that every vote matters.”

Rogers Masson, an Army veteran, said he voted a straight Democratic ballot and agreed with many of the party’s policies but also said he was concerned about partisanship and political polarization.

People’s assumptions about each other are one of the major hurdles to calm, civic engagement, Masson said.

“And as a military veteran and with my background, you would probably pin me in one way politically, which I think is also a big problem in our country.”

5:50 p.m.: 'A lot is at stake'

Sarah Honosky reports:

At Calvary Baptist Church, the trickle of voters was slow, but steady. Dale Murphy, 31, was among those to cast her ballot at the West Asheville church.

"It just feels like a really important election, I feel like a lot is at stake," Murphy said.

Women’s rights, and the right to bodily autonomy, was her top issue, she said. Cheri Beasley, Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate, was “a big one” that brought her out to vote, as well as Kim Roney for mayor.

“She seems like she’ll do something different,” Murphy said of Roney. When reflecting on the way the city handled the summer of 2020 and the Black Lives Matter protests downtown, she said she trusted Roney more, "to see what she does that's new."

5:38 p.m.: Bemoaning the ads

By 3:30 p.m. at Ira B. Jones Elementary, voter turnout was steady, poll workers told reporter Andrew Jones. A total 381 people had showed up to vote, including attorney Brent Smith and his 8-year-old son, Everett.

Everett Smith, holding a fistful of Lego pieces, recounted a political ad he’d heard on his iPad.

“What are the commercials you’ve basically memorized?” Brent Smith asked his son. “What’s the one about Ted?”

Quietly, Everett Smith repeated, “Ted Bud screwed farmers.”

“Political ads are absolutely ridiculous,” Brent Smith said. “There's a lot of stuff that unfortunately, parents have to explain to kids, because they're seeing all this. And you know, it's on, you know, primetime TV. It's on YouTube.

“Quite frankly, he knew more about the national elections than I did early on, based on the ads, a lot of issues that were pretty much over your head, right,” the 43-year-old father said. Brent Smith also has a 10-year-old daughter whom his wife brought to vote.

“That's something we do. We vote,” Smith said. “We believe it's important, even if we don't want to.

Smith’s brother is a veteran. He said his family believes that a lot of people sacrifice to allow U.S. citizen a voice at the polls.

Smith said affordable housing stood out to him and when asked, didn’t mention any candidates, but did bring up the $70 million in bonds Buncombe County wants to borrow and has put that decision to the residents in the form of a referendum.

Smith said he felt like there wasn’t enough information about the measure, however.

“I just don't feel like there was enough information put out,” he said. “I don't feel like there's a lot of information on what the money would actually be going toward. … Housing is a huge issue here in Buncombe County. It is everywhere in the country. There’s a lot of good intention out there I just don’t know if anyone has a good direction on how to solve the problem.”

5:30 p.m.: 'This is about the babies'

News-Record & Sentinel's Johnny Casey reports:

Monica Buckner-Olnhausen, a Madison County District 02 school board candidate, was on hand at the North Marshall precinct.

She said she feels the candidates have been cordial with one another throughout the entire process, and the county's Republican Party is particularly close, as the candidates plan to meet at the Madison County Republican Party headquarters.

"We're all running together," Buckner-Olnhausen said. "I like everybody on this side, and I like most of them on the other side. My uncle (Jackie Lunsford, Madison County Democratic Party chair) is sitting right over there. So, this is not about politics. This is about the babies."

5:26 p.m.: Beasley draws support

Tyson and Kathie Miller, at the Lucy Herring precinct, told reporter Sarah Honosky that they were drawn out to the polls by U.S. Senate candidate Cheri Beasley’s message.

“Like every year, it’s our civic duty,” Tyson Miller said of casting his ballot. “We want to have people in office that represent our views. Open minded and tolerant people that are unity oriented, that’s what we’re trying to push for.”

Kathie Miller said she was also driven by mayoral candidate and sitting council member Kim Roney. Of all current council members, she said Roney is the one that has made her feel heard.

“I really appreciate her the last few years,” she said. “I’ve written to her, and I’ve written to all the people, she’s the only one that writes back and takes the time. I was blown away by her ability to connect to people and really listen to them on issues.”

5:20 p.m.: Report of harassment in West Asheville

Joel Burgess reports:

A person at one polling site in West Asheville harassed voters and campaign workers, drawing the attention of several police officers, according to a former congressional candidate who was present.

The man came to the West Asheville Library polling site more than once and stood in line with voters, said former Democratic 11^th District candidate Bo Hess who was at the site campaigning for some City Council candidates. Hess spoke with the Citizen Times in the late afternoon.

“He was in line harassing people,” said Hess, adding the man then got into a serious-looking verbal altercation in the parking lot. Hess, who is a social worker, said he stepped toward the two when the man began to curse at him, adding, “It was very threatening.”

The man drove off in a white pickup, circled the polling site and came back. Hess said he went to the police substation next door and alerted officers, several of whom came to an area near the site.

A Buncombe County elections spokesperson confirmed there was an incident, calling it a “disruption outside of the voting precinct between a voter and campaigners.”

“Library staff, not Elections staff, called 911. The voter involved left the location before police arrived,” said spokesperson Lillian Govus. “While no disruption occurred inside the voting enclosure, the chief judge will submit an incident report.”

The 911 call was made around 3 p.m., Govus said.

The Citizen Times has reached out to Asheville Police Department spokesperson Samantha Booth.

5:15 p.m.: Local races are important

Andrew Mastriani and Briar Buchanan, 44 and 29 respectively, told reporter Andrew Jones at North Asheville’s Unitarian Universalist Congregation that they voted for Kim Roney for Asheville mayor. They said they also came out to support school candidates like Pepi Acebo for Asheville City School Board — they have a child in the school system — and Allison Scott for Asheville City Council.

“I think she's an important voice in the community as a trans woman," Buchanan said. “And I was really excited about the amount of diversity on the ballot this time around. And I personally feel ready for a new mayor. So I was really excited not to vote for Esther Manheimer.”

Buchanan, who works as a real estate lawyer, said she voted for Roney and felt like many of the candidates had “really awesome platforms” regarding affordable housing.

“Our biggest issue in Asheville right now is affordable housing,” Mastriani said.

For people who are still on the fence about voting, Mastriani noted the importance of local races.

“Your vote has an impact locally, on local issues,” He said.  “If you're paying attention to what's important to you and your community, I absolutely think that these this type of election is one of the most crucial ones for you to be active in.”

Buchanan agreed.

“I think Asheville is a great microcosm because I feel like we've done a really good job: People radicalize, and if they are unhappy with someone like we vote them out,” she said.

5:04 p.m.: Buncombe voter count update

From a news release:

As of 4 p.m., 30,762 voters turned out in Buncombe County, bringing the in-person voter total to 101,133. During early voting, 70,371 voters cast their ballots. At this time, 6,474 absentee-by-mail ballots have been processed, and they will continue to be processed through the canvass period. Voting has gone smoothly at the county’s 80 precincts.

5 p.m.: Excited for Beasley

From reporter Sarah Honosky:

Jessica Starkey, 21, said she voted all blue when she cast her ballot at Lucy S. Herring Elementary School in West Asheville.

She was most excited to put her support behind U.S. Senate Democratic candidate Cheri Beasley, and said she was impressed watching her campaign across North Carolina counties in the lead up to the election.

“I’m so excited for her,” Starkey said.

4:52 p.m.: Many issues matter

Russ Moxley told reporter Christian Smith that he came out to vote at New Hope Presbyterian Church, but he is not a "one-issue voter," he said.

Moxley said he votes for who he thinks is best for each position instead of voting down ballot for one party or the other. This year, he said he voted primarily Democrat because those candidates' platforms happened to fit what he believes.

4:45 p.m.: Music to Fletcher's ears

Andrew Jones reports:

At North Asheville’s Unitarian Universalist Congregation 281 people had voted by about 2:45 p.m., a large turnout according to poll workers who served at the location in the past. One said 281 in past years was equal to the amount of people who showed up at the location by closing.

There, Stephan Pruitt, a 34-year-old photographer, showed up to vote local.

This year was personal for Pruitt, who said he know Asheville City Council candidate Andrew Fletcher.

“I’ve followed Andrew for a while,” Pruitt said. “I think he is doing a lot of stuff kind of promoting a lot of the low income housing.

Pruitt said he wasn’t “super political” and described himself as “pretty agnostic.” But, he said, he’s known Fletcher for a long time.

“He's a musician in town,” Pruitt said.  “He's worked a lot of the same venues and stuff. And I think he really does feel like it's important to be more of a person for the people and like not just unfettered tourism growth. It's kind of more of a smart approach to that kind of thing. And the low income housing is a big thing for people: (it is) focused on locals who want to still be able to live here in town and work here in town. And I think that's a big thing that people really aren't looking at. As someone who grew up here, it's nuts trying to buy a house right now. I'm self-employed. I feel like I make a good living. And I'm just like, ‘Man, what is going on?’”

He also supported Asheville mayor candidate Kim Roney, noting Esther Manheimer had been around for a while and he felt “very middle-of-the-road” about her.

“We need a little bit of more hard lines with that kind of like unfettered growth that's going on,” Pruitt said. He voted yes on a ballot measure that proposed borrowing a total $70 million to support affordable housing and conservation in the coming years.

4:35 p.m.: Voting after relocating

Hana Parpan, 18, recently made the move to Madison County from Buncombe County, she told reporter Johnny Casey.

According to Parpan, no one particular race drew her interest. She said she felt women's reproductive rights was the most important issue in the election.

"I just moved from Asheville, and I had (candidates) in Asheville that I was excited about," Parpan said. "I wanted to make sure I voted because reproductive rights are the most important issue to me in this election."

4:27 p.m.: Trust is key

Lifelong Fairview resident Stephen Foster, 23, told reporter Karrigan Monk at Fairview Volunteer Fire Department that he does not affiliate himself with any party and instead voted for who he can trust on an individual basis.

He said he sees Democrats and Republicans as extremists and he does not want that for the country.

“Unfortunately both sides are still fighting a lot because they’re not caring about us and the American people,” Foster said. “Instead they care about themselves, their jobs and making profits.”

Poll workers said that as of 3:30 p.m., 236 people had voted today.

4:20 p.m.: Sometimes, it take two trips

Leighann Gardner and Cole Rener were among the steady trickle of voters at the West Asheville Recreation Center. They’d realized, on arrival, that they were voting at a different precinct this year and despite the runaround, were heading back out to try again.

What makes voting this year worth two stops?

“I had a lot of voter apathy that’s gone away in the past few years because I feel like it really, even if you don’t feel like it matters, it might,” Gardner told reporter Sarah Honosky.

“We saw something we never thought would happen, and the apathy was shaken right out of us.”

Even if a single vote sometimes feels like a lost cause in national elections, she said it stands to have an impact in her local community.

Rener agreed and said the “tumultuous political climate” of the last several years drove him out to the polls.

“Now more than ever … whether it counts or not, now is the time to show out here and vote,” Rener said.

He was motivated for candidates like Cheri Beasley, the Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate, and by her promises to reform the criminal justice system and legalize medical marijuana, which he said could make a big difference for those with chronic illnesses and pain.

“Your single vote might not change the world, but showing up and being somebody who votes, and getting your friends to vote, that could.”

4:15 p.m.: Weaverville update

From reporter Ryan Oehrli:

It's a slow flow of people coming and going at the Weaverville Community Center, but appearances can be deceiving. A poll worker says that roughly 500 people have voted here so far today.

4:10 p.m.: A vote for change

From reporter Christian Smith:

Joy Moore, 55, said she has voted every year since she was 18.

She voted at the Shiloh Community Center for Democrats because she said the country needs change and people, especially women, need to be able to control what happens with their own body.

4:07 p.m.: 'Something here is important'

A Madison County update from reporter Johnny Casey:

Pat McFee, a former fiscal officer and supervisor with the county, is the North Marshall precinct chair.

According to McFee, the North Marshall precinct has roughly 1,400 registered voters.

McFee said as of 12:15 p.m., the precinct had seen more than 200 voters on Election Day, while roughly 900 ballots were cast early.

McFee, 81, has worked election days in Madison County for more than 30 years.

"I've been here plenty of times where there were a lot less (voters) in midterms," McFee said. "So, something here is important to somebody."

4 p.m.: Clothing choice a coincidence

Alysha Harris, 39 and Jason Vickery, 36, were exiting the polls at the West Asheville Rec Center. They’d both worn all blue, but they said, laughing, it wasn’t an intentional statement.

Though they were leaving the area in a few months, Harris told reporter Sarah Honosky thet they were driven to vote by her nieces and nephew, who live in the area, and Vickery’s parents, who are moving to North Carolina soon.

“I just felt like, I had to do it. I had to get out here and try to make sure that the republicans don’t take over,” Harris said. It’s the big-ticket items she can’t stand to risk, such as abortion rights, gun control, social security and Medicare.

“Normally I would go into this and look at all the candidates on both sides and see who I agree with more, but it’s become so divided at this point, it’s hard to do that anymore.”

3:52 p.m.: Shutting out the noise

Gregory Leddy told reporter Karrigan Monk at Haw Creek Elementary that the process of voting drew him out to the polls.

“I thought it was very important to vote and not be dissuaded by all the noise out there,” Leddy said. “I thought that it was important first of all to vote not only for the candidates, but for those who I share the same Democratic values.”

3:47 p.m.: Strategic voting

Tori Hartman told reporter Ryan Oehrli at Tempie Avery that she voted for her neighbor, Rebecca Strimer, and Jesse Warren for the school board.

"I voted more strategically, locally," she said. "And I voted more general in the bigger picture because I feel that we need to stop some of the spending," she said of national races.

3:40 p.m.: 'Most important' election

Johnny Casey reports from the North Marshall precinct.

Patrick Ward, 33, is chair of the Madison County Republican Party.

As a younger voter and party chair, Ward said he felt it was his responsibility to bridge the gap between older, more conservative Madison residents and younger, more moderate voters.

"I think this is probably the most important election we've had, at least since I've been eligible to vote (in 2008)," Ward said. "There are world events going on that are going to be setting a precedent for how we handle things in the future, and try to handle things the right way. I don't know which side is the right way or the wrong way right now, but the Republican side is the side where we'll be able to make a difference."

3:35 p.m.: A busy day

Reporter Christian Smith was at Shilo Community Center.

Jasmine Beach-Ferrara, Democratic candidate in North Carolina's 11 Congressional District race, was leaving Shiloh Community Center at around 2:50.

She said she was trying to make it to 15 polling locations today to meet with voters.

3:30 p.m.: 'Get the Democrats out'

Chris Dunham, 73, told reporter Ryan Oehrli at Tempie Avery that he came out to "vote the Republicans into office and get the Democrats out as soon as possible."

"That's one thing that's brought this country down," he said of abortion rights.

Climate change is a "big scam," he added.

Dunham is originally from California, he said.

3:23 p.m.: 'Weird direction'

Sarah Honosky reports from the West Asheville recreation Center.

For Wes Ogden, a 44-year-old bartender in West Asheville, he came out to vote because “things are sliding in a really weird direction.”

“We need to get back to a two-party system that tries to work with itself, and not go back 50 years.”

He spoke of fearing the loss of women’s rights, such as abortion access, and wanting to combat the misinformation that drives panic and fervor at public schools, which have become political battlegrounds in recent years.

With Roe v. Wade overturned, he said the threats against gay marriage are also among issues that drove him to vote.

Ogden said he felt politics had gotten away from extreme polarization for a while, but in recent years the tide has turned, “and now, people we know stand to lose stuff.”

As a bartender in town and someone who has been in the music scene for 20 years, Ogden said Andrew Fletcher, a local musician running for City Council, and Kim Roney, a music educator and former bartender running for mayor, will always get his vote.

3:15 p.m.: 1st-time voter

Campaign workers outside Haw Creek Elementary told reporter Karrigan Monk that while there have been no lines to vote as of yet, the turnout has been “steady.”

Lilly Garcia of Asheville voted for the first time today and said she voted a straight Democrat ticket.  “It gives you a voice,” Garcia said of voting.

3:08 p.m.: 'Most important' election

Tom Benfield, who has been volunteering for more than 30 years with the Democratic Party, told News Record & Sentinel reporter Johnny Casey that he feels this election "may be the most important in his lifetime."

"It's going to be real close," Benfield said. "I just hope that when the results come out that everybody accepts the results. I hope there are no problems if a certain party loses. I'm with the Democratic Party. If we lose, we lose. So, I accept the results."

3 p.m.: A vote for Budd

Andrew Jones reports from Woodfin:

Luke Gassaway made his way to the Woodfin Community Center to vote despite a broken leg from a recent car accident. U.S. Senate candidate Cheri Beasley’s opponent, Republican Tedd Budd, was on his mind.

“I think everybody should vote,” Gassaway said. “I don't care if you vote for either side. I just think everybody needs to do their civil duty, you know.”

He said abortion was on his mind as he voted for Budd and said he was against it. Budd, Gassaway said, was a person of values and that’s why he one his vote. Gassaway is a member of the National Rifle Association, another element that attracted him to Budd.

He doubled down on the freedom to vote regardless of party.

“Even if you're not voting for who I think would want you to vote for, I think everybody should show that you care enough to come vote,” he said.  “It's a thing about pride, I guess. You know, some countries don't even have the right … and I just feel blessed to be able to do that.”

2:57 p.m.: Crime is an issue

Ryan Oehrli reports from Tempie Avery Montford Center:

Angela Waters said that she cares about crime in Asheville. She voted early for Esther Manheimer for mayor and Quentin Miller for sheriff, she said.

"I think they really care," she said of the two.

Waters has lived in Montford for 13 years. Her grandparents lived here, too, she said.

2:52 p.m.: Madison County check-in

News-Record & Sentinel reporter Johnny Casey is talking with voters in Madison County.

Keaton Griffin, 30, said the County Commission race is the one he's paying closest attention to.

“Madison County is going through an interesting phase, along with many other rural counties of WNC near Asheville,” said Griffin, who voted at Madison Early College High. “It’s important this election our county commissioners continue to understand and develop the growing need for balance between tradition and change. However things turn out, it’s most important to remain hopeful, listen closely, and stick together.“

2:50 p.m.: Buncombe County update

From a news release:

As of 2 p.m., 24,543 voters have turned out, bringing the total to more than 94,914 people who have now cast their votes in person in Buncombe County. During early voting, 70,371 voters cast their ballots. At this time, 6,287 absentee-by-mail ballots have been processed.

Voting has gone smoothly at the county’s 80 precincts, with no reports of significant incidents

2:45 p.m.: Voting for change

Carole Terrell reports from the Enka-Candler Library:

Steve Chandler, 48, of Asheville, voted at Enka-Candler Library today.

“We just need change across the board,” said Chandler. “We need to get back to making this country where it needs to be and not go backward. It’s our American freedom to vote and we should not be attacked on who we vote for. We can all get along.”

2:35 p.m.: 2nd-time voter

At Woodfin Community Center, 406 people had voted by 2 p.m. The chief judge there told reporter Andrew Jones that the turnout has been “non-stop” since polls opened at 6:30 a.m.

There, Quantasia Williams, a 23-year-old esthetician, voted for the second time in her life. She called the process overwhelming but had health care rights on her mind.

“I do want to keep North Carolina pro-choice and pretty progressive and liberal as I can,” she said. “But it's like, I don't know everything … and it's really overwhelming.”

Asked what candidates were on her mind she said noted North Carolina Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate Cheri Beasley.

Though Williams is a Woodfin resident, she said she was thinking of the city of Asheville.

I didn't really know since I'm in a town of Woodfin I couldn't do anything for Asheville City Council and I can’t even vote for Asheville mayor,” she said. “I was really interested in Kim Roney.”

If someone was still on the line about voting, Williams said she’d encourage them to do it, but knows the process can be daunting.

2:25 p.m.: What does an election judge do?

Teresa Beeman, chief judge of the Enka-Candler voting district, told reporter Carole Terrell that 391 people voted from 6:30 a.m.-noon today at the Enka-Candler Library. She is the Jill of trades and says, “I can handle problems that come up that cannot be handled at the check in desk.”

2:20 p.m.: Candidate at Cane Creek

Anthony Penland, Buncombe District 1 commissioner candidate, is at Cane Creek Middle School handing out Conservative Suggestions sample ballots and talking to voters.

"If elected, I work for them, so I just want to make sure that they understand, you know, who I am and what I stand for," Penland told reporter Christian Smith.

2:05 p.m.: Polarization a problem

Tim Carey, who's new to Asheville, declined to tell reporter Ryan Oehrli whom he voted for. He is a retired colonel with the Air Force and a self-described moderate. He voted at Stephens-Lee Recreation Center.

"What saddens me today is that, in this country, we've become so polarized," Carey said. "We only listen to the voices that are extreme right or extreme left because they're the loudest."

A phrase he reiterated while talking to a reporter: "Country over party."

1:55 p.m.: Precinct confusion

Black Mountain News reporter Karrigan Monk has been talking with voters at Black Mountain Primary. She said several voters told her they went to BMP because it was the only polling location they knew, only to find out it was the wrong location for them.

Monk said there has been no line all day at Black Mountain Primary.

1:50 p.m.: Democrat supporters

Carole Terrell reports:

Karen Miller and David Johnson, of Asheville, offer assistance at the Democrat table at the Enka-Candler Library voting location. Miller is the wife of Buncombe County Sheriff Quentin Miller and also worked at the South Asheville location last week.

“I walked the streets of Hendersonville Road as a human billboard,” Miller said.

Johnson said Miller has been helping the handicapped voters and curbside voters today. “

Yes,” said Miller, “I’m just helping everybody. It doesn’t matter about the party.”

1:40 p.m.: Economy an issue

Republican Rondell Lance, of Asheville, works at the Enka-Candler Library voting location. He told reporter Carole Terrell that he is retired from the Asheville Police Department and is the precinct chair in the Enka district. He also worked during early voting.

“I think over 500 voted every day," Lance said. "There has been a bigger turnout than usual so something is up. The cost of gas prices is the biggest thing with people along with the rising cost of groceries and heating oil, with winter coming. Also crime.”

1:28 p.m.: Quiet at Skyland

From reporter Christian Smith:

The Skyland Fire Department is seeing little action at 1:28 p.m., with no line and few cars in the parking lot.

1:20 p.m.: Black Mountain Primary

Black Mountain News reporter Karrigan Monk talked with Brittany Allis at Black Mountain Primary.

Alliss, 36, of Black Mountain, said she voted because she likes to, but no race in particular drew her out.

“Everybody’s voice needs to be heard and counted,” Alliss said.

1:15 p.m.: Support for husband

Carole Terrell reports from the Enka-Candler Library:

Pam Anderson, age 72, of Candler, shows off her patriotic earrings at the Enka-Candler Library voting location. She is the wife of John Anderson who is running for State Senate District 49.

“He is dedicated and wants to be of service.” One of his biggest passions is protecting the environment.

1:10 p.m.: Mayoral race thoughts

Married couple Lindsay and Danny Lebsock both voted for Kim Roney in the mayoral race, reports Ryan Oehrli from Stephens-Lee.

"I think she's a bit more in touch with the average working person in Asheville," Danny said.

She has a better understanding of what it's like to work in the service industry here, he said, for example. There is "more focus on those who are local and live here" than the tourism industry Lindsay said of Roney's platform.

12:55 p.m.: Warehouse headquarters

Christian Smith reports that at 50 Coxe Ave., Buncombe County Election Services is set up at their warehouse to monitor elections.

Also at the warehouse were the fire chief and director of emergency services, who were there to coordinate in the event of any issue that may arise.

12:50 p.m.: Environment a top issue

Ryan Oehrli reports from Stephens-Lee:

UNC Asheville junior Phoebe Gittis said that this was her first election in the city. She mainly wanted to practice her right to vote out of principle, she said, and wasn't drawn to particular candidates.

As an environmental studies major, that was one of her main issues, she said. The treatment of the homeless population here is also a concern for her, she added.

12:40: On hand with information

Reporter Carole Terrell visited the voting site at Enka-Candler Library.

This is the fourth time that John Hammond, of the Biltmore Lake community in Candler, has worked at the polls. He is passing out information about Sierra Club endorsed candidates.

“Enthusiasm has been good,” Hammond said. “I have an interest in the environment. I have nine grandchildren and am interested in their future.”

12:30 p.m.: No irregularities

From reporter Christian Smith:

Buncombe County Election Services Director Corinne Duncan answered questions from the press at a Q&A that was slated to begin at 11:30 a.m. but was delayed until Duncan arrived minutes later.

She announced the most recent voter turnout numbers as of 10 a.m. and said that no voting irregularities have occurred.

Early voting and absentee voting results will come as soon as voting ends at 7:30 a.m., she said. With over 70,000 people voting early this year, she said these results will be a significant chunk of the results.

Results won't be official, she said, until after the canvasing period ends on Nov. 18.

12:20 p.m.: Early voter's thoughts

While at Stephens-Lee, reporter Ryan Oehrli spoke with Karen Ziff, who voted early but dropped off lunch for someone today at the center. She voted down-ballot for Democrats and said that it's a scary time.

Ziff referenced new threats to abortion, a growing prevalence of conspiracy theories and books being banned from schools as concerns. It's become a "we versus me" world, she said.

"You just want honest people," she added.

11:55 a.m.: Stephens-Lee turnout

Reporter Ryan Oehrli visited the Stephens-Lee Recreation Center. A poll worker told him that about 150 people have voted there so far today.

10 a.m. county update

More than 11,000 people had voted as of 10 a.m. today, according to a news release from Buncombe County. Including 70,371 people who voted early, that raised the number of Buncombe County voters to more than 81,700.

Here's the news release in full. It contains links to see how many people have voted at each precinct and how many people are waiting to vote at each site.

This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: North Carolina elections 2022: Asheville poll updates on Election Day