Note: The State Board of Elections is sending out this press release on behalf of the Madison County Board of Elections. We are grateful to the Madison County Board and staff for their continued hard work to serve voters during this disaster. The State Board has set up a special web page with information for voters in areas affected by Helene. Go to ncsbe.gov/Helene.
Despite the hardship that Hurricane Helene has brought to our communities and the rest of Western North Carolina, the Madison County Board of Elections is hard at work preparing for the Nov. 5, 2024, general election. Though the hurricane has caused significant disruptions, our election staff and the bipartisan board are determined to ensure that every eligible Madison County resident can vote in this general election.
To reassure our community that elections officials are hard at work preparing for the election and are diligently handling hurricane-related challenges, the board wishes to bring the following developments to the public’s attention:
- Since Friday, Oct. 4, the Madison County Board of Elections office has been open to the public at the Madison County Administrative Building on the bypass in Marshall.
- Staff are using county-provided cellphones ((828) 206-2129 or (828) 206-2938) as office phones until office phone service has been restored.
- Election staff are in regular contact with the N.C. State Board of Elections and county management, and are coordinating with local agencies.
- Election staff have evaluated election equipment and laptop computers used for elections and determined that they have not been damaged. Security of all election facilities and equipment has been maintained.
- Election staff and the board have determined 2 of the 3 early voting sites and 11 of the 12 Election Day sites are operational and available for the general election.
- By unanimous action, the board adopted two resolutions to address the early voting site in Hot Springs and the Election Day site on Blannahassett Island in Marshall.
- The Hot Springs early voting site has been relocated to the Hot Springs Senior Meal Site, 356 NW 25/70, Hot Springs, NC 28743.
- The South Marshall Election Day polling place on Blannahassett Island in Marshall has been relocated to Madison A-B Tech Campus, 4646 US 25/70 Hwy, Marshall, NC 28753. This voting site change only affects voters registered in the South Marshall Precinct.
- Registered voters in North Marshall that present to vote on Election Day should go to the Madison Early College High School. (See Madison County Precincts.)
- All Madison County eligible residents may use any of the three early voting sites located across the county. (See Madison County 2024 General Election Early Voting Plan (PDF).)
- Election staff have received absentee ballots and mailed out absentee ballots. They have also received and sent out electronic ballots to military and overseas voters.
- Consistent with state law, the board met on Tuesday, Oct. 8, and began approving absentee-by-mail ballots. The board will continue to hold regular meetings for this purpose through Election Day.
- The board is grateful for the dedication of our election officials, who have made clear that they are available and ready to work.
- The board and election staff encourages the public to monitor the Madison County Board of Elections website for updates.