Buncombe Elections Board Clears Candidates for Ballot

Challenges against Asheville Vice Mayor Antanette Mosley and GOP sheriff's candidate dismissed

Published on Feb. 8, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The Buncombe County Board of Elections unanimously denied formal challenges against two local candidates, allowing Asheville Vice Mayor Antanette Mosley to remain on the ballot for re-election to the city council and a GOP sheriff's candidate to continue their campaign.

Why it matters

The decisions by the Buncombe elections board ensure that voters will have a full slate of candidates to choose from in the upcoming local elections, maintaining the democratic process and voter choice.

The details

The board dismissed an allegation that Mosley had missed a filing deadline, as well as a challenge to the GOP sheriff's candidate over party-switching. Both candidates were cleared to remain on the ballot for their respective races.

  • The Buncombe County Board of Elections held hearings on January 20, 2026 to consider the challenges.

The players

Antanette Mosley

Asheville Vice Mayor who was cleared to run for re-election to the Asheville City Council.

Buncombe County Board of Elections

The local elections board that unanimously denied the challenges against the two candidates.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

The takeaway

The Buncombe elections board's decisions uphold the democratic process by ensuring voters have a full slate of candidates to choose from in the upcoming local elections, despite attempts to challenge the eligibility of certain candidates.