Avery County's Early Voting Site Is the Local Pool, and It Opens Oct. 15

By Jon Tharp, Broker  ·  October 5, 2026

Avery County voters have one place to cast an early ballot, known locally as The Dive In. Early voting for the Nov. 3 general election opens Thursday, Oct. 15, at the Avery County Pool, 220 Shady St. in Newland, and runs through Saturday, Oct. 31.

On Election Day, you have to vote at your assigned precinct. During early voting, any registered Avery County voter can use the Newland site.

When is early voting open in Avery County?

The site is open 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Thursday and Friday, Oct. 15 and 16, then Monday through Friday, Oct. 19 to 23 and Oct. 26 to 30.

The final day is Saturday, Oct. 31, with hours of 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Avery County has no Sunday voting.

What do you need to bring to vote?

Expect to be asked for photo ID when you check in. Curbside voting is available for eligible voters.

If you got an absentee ballot by mail, you can return it to the county Board of Elections office or hand it to an election official at the early voting site during voting hours.

Is it too late to register to vote in Avery County?

The regular registration deadline is 25 days before Election Day, which falls on Friday, Oct. 9. The Avery County Board of Elections must receive your form by that date, or it must be postmarked by then.

Miss it, and you still have an option. North Carolina allows same-day registration during early voting. You must complete a registration application and provide proof of residency, such as a utility bill or bank statement showing your name and current address. Voters who register this way can vote only during the early voting period, and same-day registration is not available on Election Day for most voters.

To be eligible, you must be a U.S. citizen, have lived in North Carolina and Avery County for at least 30 days before the election, be 18 by the next general election, and not be registered in another county or state. If you have a felony conviction, your citizenship rights must be restored.

What if you wait until Election Day?

Polls open Tuesday, Nov. 3, from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Avery County has 19 precincts, and on Election Day you must vote at the one you are assigned to.

You can check your registration and preview a sample ballot with the Voter Search tool at ncsbe.gov. For anything else, the Avery County Board of Elections is at 200 Montezuma St., Suite 307, in Newland, open 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. The phone number is (828) 733-8282.

Source: averyjournal.com

 

Frequently Asked Questions

When does early voting start in Avery County?

Early voting starts Thursday, Oct. 15 and ends Saturday, Oct. 31. The site is open 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on weekdays during that period and 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Oct. 31. There is no Sunday voting.

Where is early voting in Avery County?

There is one early voting site: the Avery County Pool, known locally as The Dive In, at 220 Shady St. in Newland. Any registered Avery County voter can use it, regardless of their assigned precinct.

Can you register to vote during early voting in North Carolina?

Yes. North Carolina allows same-day registration during early voting. You complete a registration application and show proof of residency, such as a utility bill or bank statement with your name and current address. Voters who register this way can vote only during the early voting period.