Buncombe County Sample Ballot & Voter Guide 2026
23 candidates are on the November 3, 2026 ballot across 17 Buncombe County races, led by the Buncombe County District Attorney contest.
County offices
District AttorneyMartin Moore (D)
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Martin Moore (Democratic) is on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Buncombe County District Attorney.
Martin Moore Democratic
- Prosecuting domestic violence, homicides, and gun violence
- Treatment courts and mental health court diversion
- Data transparency in charging and sentencing
Per the campaign site.
About Martin Moore
Martin Moore is an attorney with his own mediation and appellate practice who began his career as an Asheville public defender, and is a sitting Buncombe County commissioner for District 2, per WLOS and the county's official roster. He holds degrees from UNC and UNC Law.
OPEN SEAT: District Attorney Todd Williams, in office since 2015, is not seeking reelection, per WLOS. Martin Moore won the three-way March 3 Democratic contest with 39.2 percent, above the 30 percent threshold, and is unopposed in November, per the State Board of Elections certified list and results archive. Prosecutorial District 40 covers Buncombe County alone.
Full race pageSheriffQuentin Miller (D) · Gary Parris (R)
Quentin Miller (Democratic) and Gary Parris (Republican) are on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Buncombe County Sheriff.
Quentin Miller Democratic Incumbent
- 21st century policing
- Expanding the jail's medication-assisted treatment program
- Deputy pay tied to training
Per the campaign site.
About Quentin Miller
Quentin Miller has been Buncombe County's sheriff since December 2018, the county's first African-American sheriff, and is seeking a third term, per the sheriff's office site. He served 11 years as a U.S. Army military police officer and was an original member of the Asheville Police Department's community policing unit.
Gary Parris Republican
- Rebuilding staffing and retention
- A fully staffed jail
- Countywide patrol coverage and a citizens academy
Per the campaign site.
About Gary Parris
Gary Parris is a retired Navy senior chief with 22 years in cryptology and naval intelligence, a former Buncombe County deputy sheriff, and a criminal justice educator with a master's in strategic intelligence and an MPA, per his campaign site and Mountain Xpress.
Gary Parris won the March 3 Republican contest with 75 percent, per the state results archive.
Full race pageClerk of Superior CourtJean Marie Christy (D)
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Jean Marie Christy (Democratic) is on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Buncombe County Clerk of Superior Court.
Jean Marie Christy Democratic Incumbent
- Ensuring fairness and access to justice for every resident who comes before the court
- Providing respectful, responsive service in the clerk's office
- Efficient administration of court records and family estate matters
Per the campaign site.
About Jean Marie Christy
Christy, a former Assistant Public Defender in Asheville and Lumberton, represented low-income children and adults in juvenile and misdemeanor cases, per the campaign site. She holds a Juris Doctor from Washington and Lee University School of Law, per the campaign site. Her site emphasizes fair and respectful service in managing court records and estate administration, per the campaign site.
Incumbent Jean Marie Christy, who won the November 2024 special election, is the only certified candidate; unopposed candidates print on North Carolina's November 3 ballot.
Full race pageCommission District 1Anna V. Stearns (D) · Rob Stetson (R)
Anna V. Stearns (Democratic) and Rob Stetson (Republican) are on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Buncombe Commission District 1.
Anna V. Stearns Democratic
- Helene recovery
- Affordable housing and smart growth
- Children and families
Per the campaign site.
About Anna V. Stearns
Anna V. Stearns is an attorney and small business owner at Sneed and Stearns in Black Mountain, a former legislative staffer, and former general counsel to NC Chief Justice Cheri Beasley, per WLOS and her campaign site. Her law office served as a Helene recovery hub.
Rob Stetson Republican
- Recycling program improvements
- Redevelopment over sprawl
- Recruiting higher-paying industry with spending restraint
Per the a Mountain Xpress candidate Q&A.
About Rob Stetson
Rob Stetson is a District 1 candidate from Arden, per a Mountain Xpress candidate Q&A. No campaign website was found as of September 8, 2026.
OPEN SEAT on the 2023 redrawn district map. From the State Board of Elections certified candidate list.
Full race pageCommission District 2Lonnie Israel (D) · Greg Parks (R)
Lonnie Israel (Democratic) and Greg Parks (Republican) are on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Buncombe Commission District 2.
Lonnie Israel Democratic
- Helene recovery funding and farmland preservation
- School safety and first responders
- Fiscal responsibility and infrastructure
Per the campaign site.
About Lonnie Israel
Lonnie Israel is the retired co-owner of Jesse Israel and Sons Garden Center, a multi-generation Candler family farm business he helped run for 38 years, and treasurer of the Upper Hominy Fire Department board, per Mountain Xpress.
Greg Parks Republican
- Transparency with monthly reporting
- Responsible growth and infrastructure
- Affordability and environmental stewardship
Per the campaign site.
About Greg Parks
Greg Parks is a western North Carolina native from the Alexander and Leicester area who farms and coaches softball, per his campaign site and the county Republican Party's candidates page.
OPEN SEAT: the seat is held by Martin Moore, who is running for district attorney. Lonnie Israel won the March 3 Democratic contest with 57.7 percent, per the state results archive.
Full race pageCommission District 3Al Whitesides (D)
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Al Whitesides (Democratic) is on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Buncombe Commission District 3.
Al Whitesides Democratic Incumbent
Al Whitesides has served on the board since 2016 as the county's first African-American commissioner, per the county's official roster. A retired banker, he co-founded the student group A-SCORE, which helped desegregate Asheville facilities beginning in 1960, per Blue Ridge Public Radio. No campaign website was found as of September 8, 2026.
Incumbent commissioner Al Whitesides filed in the redrawn District 3, where he lives after the county's 2023 redistricting, per WLOS and the county board of elections filing list; he is the only certified candidate and unopposed candidates print on North Carolina's November 3 ballot.
Full race pageJudges
North Carolina Superior Court Judge, District 40, Seat 2Alan Thornburg (D)
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Alan Thornburg Democratic Incumbent
Alan Thornburg is the Senior Resident Superior Court Judge for Buncombe County, appointed to the bench by Governor Mike Easley in 2009, per the North Carolina Judicial Branch. He received a bachelor's degree in history from Davidson College in 1989 and a J.D. from Wake Forest University School of Law in 1996, and worked as a private practice attorney in Asheville before joining the bench, per the Buncombe County Bar. No campaign website was found as of September 27, 2026.
Alan Thornburg (Democratic) is unopposed on the November 3, 2026 ballot for North Carolina Superior Court Judge, District 40, Seat 2. Voters across Buncombe County vote on this seat, per North Carolina General Statutes Chapter 7A. North Carolina judicial races have been partisan since the 2018 court reorganization. The field is the State Board of Elections' certified general-election candidate list (read September 7, 2026).
Full race pageNorth Carolina District Court Judge, District 40, Seat 1Ward D. Scott (D)
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Ward D. Scott Democratic Incumbent
Ward D. Scott serves as Chief District Court Judge in Buncombe County, per the North Carolina Judicial Branch directory. No campaign website was found as of September 27, 2026.
Ward D. Scott (Democratic) is unopposed on the November 3, 2026 ballot for North Carolina District Court Judge, District 40, Seat 1. Voters across Buncombe County vote on this seat, per North Carolina General Statutes Chapter 7A. North Carolina judicial races have been partisan since the 2018 court reorganization. The field is the State Board of Elections' certified general-election candidate list (read September 7, 2026).
Full race pageNorth Carolina District Court Judge, District 40, Seat 2Julie M. Kepple (D)
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Julie M. Kepple Democratic Incumbent
Julie M. Kepple currently serves as a District Court Judge for Buncombe County, per the North Carolina Judicial Branch directory. Kepple and a group of stakeholders created ASPIRE court in 2014, a treatment court program recognized for its high success rate among participants, per the Buncombe County Bar. No campaign website was found as of September 27, 2026.
Julie M. Kepple (Democratic) is unopposed on the November 3, 2026 ballot for North Carolina District Court Judge, District 40, Seat 2. Voters across Buncombe County vote on this seat, per North Carolina General Statutes Chapter 7A. North Carolina judicial races have been partisan since the 2018 court reorganization. The field is the State Board of Elections' certified general-election candidate list (read September 7, 2026).
Full race pageNorth Carolina District Court Judge, District 40, Seat 3Ben Scales (D)
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Ben Scales Democratic
Ben Scales is a candidate for District Court Judge, District 40, Seat 3, in Buncombe County, per his campaign site. He has more than 35 years of trial and appellate experience in state and federal courts, has practiced in Buncombe County District Court since 2006, and served as a law clerk to two federal judges. He earned a Bachelor of Industrial Engineering from Georgia Tech in 1986 and a Juris Doctor from the Cumberland School of Law in 1991, and has been inducted into the North Carolina Pro Bono Honor Society every year since 2014, per the same source.
Ben Scales (Democratic) is unopposed on the November 3, 2026 ballot for North Carolina District Court Judge, District 40, Seat 3. Voters across Buncombe County vote on this seat, per North Carolina General Statutes Chapter 7A. North Carolina judicial races have been partisan since the 2018 court reorganization. The field is the State Board of Elections' certified general-election candidate list (read September 7, 2026).
Full race pageNorth Carolina District Court Judge, District 40, Seat 4Susan (Smitty) Dotson-Smith (D)
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Susan (Smitty) Dotson-Smith Democratic Incumbent
Susan (Smitty) Dotson-Smith has served as a District Court judge in Buncombe County since 2012, per the Buncombe County Bar. Dotson-Smith received her J.D. from Wake Forest School of Law and was in private practice in Asheville for about twenty years before becoming a judge, per the same source. No campaign website was found as of September 27, 2026.
Susan (Smitty) Dotson-Smith (Democratic) is unopposed on the November 3, 2026 ballot for North Carolina District Court Judge, District 40, Seat 4. Voters across Buncombe County vote on this seat, per North Carolina General Statutes Chapter 7A. North Carolina judicial races have been partisan since the 2018 court reorganization. The field is the State Board of Elections' certified general-election candidate list (read September 7, 2026).
Full race pageNorth Carolina District Court Judge, District 40, Seat 5Ed Clontz (D)
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Ed Clontz Democratic Incumbent
Ed Clontz currently serves as a District Court Judge for Buncombe County, appointed to the bench by Governor Bev Perdue in 2011, per the North Carolina Judicial Branch directory. Before his appointment, Clontz served as chief assistant clerk of Superior Court in Buncombe County and previously as a county magistrate, per the Buncombe County Bar. No campaign website was found as of September 27, 2026.
Ed Clontz (Democratic) is unopposed on the November 3, 2026 ballot for North Carolina District Court Judge, District 40, Seat 5. Voters across Buncombe County vote on this seat, per North Carolina General Statutes Chapter 7A. North Carolina judicial races have been partisan since the 2018 court reorganization. The field is the State Board of Elections' certified general-election candidate list (read September 7, 2026).
Full race pageBy address
These seats are elected by district; only the district covering your address is on your ballot.
Buncombe County is split across 5 North Carolina Senate and House districts.
Find your districts by addressNorth Carolina Senate: 2 districtsDistricts 46, 49
North Carolina Senate District 46Warren Daniel (R) · Kyle Whisnant (D)
Warren Daniel Republican Incumbent
Warren Daniel graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1991 and served six years in the U.S. Army Field Artillery, per the campaign site. Daniel earned a law degree with honors from UNC Law School in 2000 and practices law in Morganton, and was admitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court in 2007, per the campaign site.
Kyle Whisnant Democratic
- Address economic, health, and infrastructure issues affecting working families
Per The Paper.
About Kyle Whisnant
Kyle Whisnant is a local business owner in Morganton who filed on December 18, 2025, to run for NC Senate District 46, per The Paper and the North Carolina State Board of Elections. No campaign website was found as of September 7, 2026.
Warren Daniel (Republican), Kyle Whisnant (Democratic) meet on the November 3 ballot; Warren Daniel is the sitting member, per the General Assembly's roster. Party nominees were chosen at the March 3 primary (a second primary is held only when no one reaches 30 percent plus one); unaffiliated candidates qualified by petition. The field is the State Board of Elections' certified general-election candidate list (read September 7, 2026). This seat is elected by district; only the district covering your address appears on your ballot.
Full race pageNorth Carolina Senate District 49CJ Domingo (R) · Julie Mayfield (D)
CJ Domingo Republican
CJ Domingo filed his candidacy for District 49 on December 19, 2025, and resides in Asheville, per the state candidate filing list. No campaign website was found as of September 7, 2026.
Julie Mayfield Democratic Incumbent
- Supports reproductive health care, LGBTQ+ rights and clean renewable energy
- Has led a community coalition addressing the decline in health care quality tied to HCA's ownership of Mission Health
Per the campaign site.
About Julie Mayfield
Julie Mayfield is the Democratic state senator for North Carolina Senate District 49 in Buncombe County and serves as Senate Democratic Caucus Secretary, per the North Carolina General Assembly.
CJ Domingo (Republican), Julie Mayfield (Democratic) meet on the November 3 ballot; Julie Mayfield is the sitting member, per the General Assembly's roster. Party nominees were chosen at the March 3 primary (a second primary is held only when no one reaches 30 percent plus one); unaffiliated candidates qualified by petition. The field is the State Board of Elections' certified general-election candidate list (read September 7, 2026). This seat is elected by district; only the district covering your address appears on your ballot.
Full race pageNorth Carolina House: 3 districtsDistricts 114, 115, 116
North Carolina House District 114Eric Ager (D)
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Eric Ager Democratic Incumbent
- Prioritize the needs of working families, children and veterans
Per the campaign site.
About Eric Ager
Eric Ager is business operations director at Hickory Nut Gap Farm and executive director of Project HNG, and a U.S. Navy veteran who served from 1996 to 2021, per the North Carolina General Assembly. He represents North Carolina House District 114 in Buncombe County.
Eric Ager (Democratic) is the only candidate on the November 3 ballot; Eric Ager is the sitting member, per the General Assembly's roster. Party nominees were chosen at the March 3 primary (a second primary is held only when no one reaches 30 percent plus one); unaffiliated candidates qualified by petition. The field is the State Board of Elections' certified general-election candidate list (read September 7, 2026). This seat is elected by district; only the district covering your address appears on your ballot.
Full race pageNorth Carolina House District 115Lindsey Prather (D) · Anthony J. Penland (R)
Lindsey Prather Democratic Incumbent
Lindsey Prather works in university admissions and represents North Carolina House District 115 in Buncombe County, currently serving her second term, per the North Carolina General Assembly. No campaign website was found as of September 7, 2026.
Anthony J. Penland Republican
- Direct recovery resources to the region
- Create economic development opportunities
Per The Blue Ridge Times.
About Anthony J. Penland
Anthony J. Penland has served as Swannanoa Fire Chief since 2001, following more than 30 years in the fire service that began as a volunteer in 1990, per The Blue Ridge Times. No campaign website was found as of September 7, 2026.
Lindsey Prather (Democratic), Anthony J. Penland (Republican) meet on the November 3 ballot; Lindsey Prather is the sitting member, per the General Assembly's roster. Party nominees were chosen at the March 3 primary (a second primary is held only when no one reaches 30 percent plus one); unaffiliated candidates qualified by petition. The field is the State Board of Elections' certified general-election candidate list (read September 7, 2026). This seat is elected by district; only the district covering your address appears on your ballot.
Full race pageNorth Carolina House District 116Brian Turner (D)
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Brian Turner Democratic Incumbent
- Support public education
- Protect the state's mountains and rivers
- Grow local economies in western North Carolina
Per the campaign site.
About Brian Turner
Brian Turner works in real estate and represents North Carolina House District 116 in Buncombe County, currently serving his fifth term, per the North Carolina General Assembly.
Brian Turner (Democratic) is the only candidate on the November 3 ballot; Brian Turner is the sitting member, per the General Assembly's roster. Party nominees were chosen at the March 3 primary (a second primary is held only when no one reaches 30 percent plus one); unaffiliated candidates qualified by petition. The field is the State Board of Elections' certified general-election candidate list (read September 7, 2026). This seat is elected by district; only the district covering your address appears on your ballot.
Full race pageSee your full ballot
Voting info and more
Voting info and more
Verify your ballot with the official election office.
Cross-check every race and candidate with the official election office. Official sources are the final word.
North Carolina nominees were set by the March 3 primary; a candidate clearing 30 percent plus one avoids a second primary, and unopposed nominees still print on the November 3 ballot, per the State Board of Elections.
Who is on the ballot in Buncombe County, North Carolina on November 3, 2026?
Buncombe County sample ballot 2026: see where the county sheriff and Buncombe commission candidates stand on the budget, health care and growth. Every candidate profile on this page names the official filing or campaign source it came from.
When is the 2026 general election in North Carolina?
Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Registration deadlines, early voting dates and mail ballot rules for North Carolina are listed on the North Carolina election hub. North Carolina election hub →
How do I see my exact Buncombe County ballot?
Enter your ZIP code in the lookup for the statewide and congressional races on every ballot in the county, or a full street address to add the county, city and district contests for that location. Look up your ballot →
Sample ballot by ZIP code in Buncombe County16 ZIP codes
Candidate roster last updated Sep 27, 2026 from official election sources.