WASHINGTON – Democrats on the Buncombe County Election Board have refused to expand early voting access throughout the county for hurricane-affected voters, especially those in rural areas. This is partisan suppression of the vote, and we demand the Democrat chair call an emergency meeting and vote to provide adequate, expanded voting sites.

RNC Chairman Michael Whatley stated: “This is unacceptable partisan voter suppression by the Democrat board members. We demand immediate action and expanded voting access for Western North Carolina voters who need it most. Republican turnout has been at record highs, even in devastated areas, because North Carolinians are ready to reject the last four years of neglect and mismanagement by the Democrats -- we are committed to ensuring that hurricane victims have the right to vote, and we demand immediate action."

NCGOP Chairman Jason Simmons stated: “Voters in Buncombe County who have suffered from unimaginable destruction should have every opportunity to make their voices heard at the ballot box.”

Buncombe County Voter Jessica Honeycutt: “I’m from Buncombe County North Carolina. The hurricane devastated our community, many I know lost their homes, livelihoods…everything, and now it’s even tougher for them to vote because the early sites are so far away from where we live. We shouldn’t be silenced just because we were the victims of a natural disaster.”

Buncombe County Voter Jacquie Anderson: “I’m Jacquie, and I’m from Buncombe County North Carolina. The hurricane devastated our community and took everything from so many. Now, without a nearby early voting location I have been unable to cast my vote. The disaster took so much from so many, and now our voices are being silenced as well.”

The RNC sent a letter to the Chair of the Buncombe County Board demanding an emergency vote today. Read the letter HERE.