Buncombe County Democrats and Republicans ramp up voter contact as election nears

Party leaders in Buncombe County, North Carolina, are intensifying their voter outreach efforts as Election Day approaches on Tuesday, November 3. Both Republicans and Democrats are using door-to-door canvassing, phone calls, and text messages to encourage residents to cast their ballots. While the tactics are similar, the two parties report seeing different results and focusing on distinct issues.

Kristen Robinson, the chair of the Buncombe County Democratic Party, said her volunteers knocked on more than 7,000 doors during one week in October. These efforts targeted Democratic, unaffiliated, and some Republican voters. Robinson noted that the party is seeing higher Democratic turnout compared to the 2018 and 2022 midterm elections. She also pointed to increased participation among unaffiliated voters. In Black Mountain, she said, sustained summer canvassing contributed to a rise in Democratic turnout this year relative to previous midterms.

Jim Folton, the chair of the Buncombe County Republican Party, stated that volunteers are distributing voter guides and candidate literature alongside phone and text outreach. Folton said reaching conservative voters during a midterm cycle is more difficult than during a presidential year. He expressed a desire for higher turnout among his base, describing the current effort as a necessary process of repeatedly contacting undecided or hesitant voters. He said the team is continuing to make calls and knock on doors to close the gap.

The two leaders identified different primary motivators for their constituents. Folton highlighted public safety and the economy as key concerns for conservative voters. He cited news reports about crime in Asheville and its spread to surrounding areas as a driving factor for residents who want to feel secure. Robinson, in contrast, said affordability and the ongoing recovery from Hurricane Helene are the major issues motivating Democratic voters.

Both parties say their outreach efforts will continue through the remaining early voting period. Voters in the county can still cast their ballots during early voting or at their assigned precincts on Election Day. Robinson and Folton both urged residents to participate in the vote.

The final days of the campaign will feature continued contact with voters across the county. Early voting turnout in Buncombe County has already reached record levels according to local reports. Party officials will monitor these numbers as the election concludes.