What you need to know about Tuesday's primary election in Buncombe, NC

Voters across the mountains and the state will choose their party's nominees for offices ranging from U.S. House to county commissioner in Tuesday's primary election.

Winners of most races will move on to face the opposing party's choice in the November general election. But the outcome of some contests Tuesday, like that for Buncombe County district attorney, will probably determine the ultimate winner because no one is running from the other political party.

Here's a guide to voting Tuesday:

What are the hours?

Polls will be open 6:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m. Anyone in line to vote at the correct precinct at 7:30 p.m. will be allowed to vote.

I'm unaffiliated. Can I vote?

Yes. Unaffiliated voters may cast ballots in either the Democratic or Republican party primary.

Where do I vote? Which candidates will be on my ballot?

The state Board of Elections has an online tool people can use to check their registration status and look at their sample ballot. It's at https://vt.ncsbe.gov/RegLkup.

What are the hot races?

In Buncombe County, there has probably been the most interest in the Democratic primaries for district attorney and sheriff. Incumbent Sheriff Van Duncan is not running for re-election and five Democrats seek their party's nomination.

There are also interesting contests for U.S. House and county commissioner nominations in Buncombe County and the rest of WNC. Outside the mountains, some congressional and state legislative primaries are hotly contested.

Who's running?

Here's the list of candidates for Buncombe County, with names listed in the order they will appear on the ballot. Candidates with an (i) beside their names are the incumbents:

10th District U.S. House. Republican primary: Jeff Gregory, Patrick McHenry (i), Ira Roberts, Albert Lee Wiley, Jr., Seth Blankenship, Gina Collias.

11th District U.S. House. Democratic primary: Phillip G. Price, Steve Woodsmall, D. Scott Donaldson.

11th District U.S. House. Republican primary: Mark Meadows (i), Chuck Archerd. Archerd says he filed only in case Meadows is appointed to a job in the administration of President Donald Trump and is not actively campaigning.

N.C. House District 115. Republican primary: Nathan West, Amy Evans. West has withdrawn from the race but his name will remain on the ballot.

District attorney. Democratic primary: Ben Scales, Todd Williams (i).

Board of Commissioners District 2. Democratic primary: Patrick Fitzsimmons, Dereck Lindsey, Nancy Nehls Nelson, Amanda Edwards.

Board of Commissioners District 3. Democratic primary: Catori Swann, Taylon Breeden, Donna Ensley.

Sheriff. Democratic primary: R. Daryl Fisher, Rondell Lance, Quentin Miller, Randy Smart, Chris Winslow.

Will there be lines?

Probably not long ones in Western North Carolina, although voter interest and turnout will vary from county to county. Primaries typically draw fewer voters than general elections, and primaries in which there is no presidential or U.S. Senate race, like this year's, usually have lower turnout.

If waiting in line gives you hives, Buncombe County Election Services is instituting a service to allow voters to look online to seek how long lines are at their precinct. It's at www.buncombecounty.org/vote. Poll workers are supposed to update information every 15-20 minutes.

County Elections Director Trena Parker Velez says she expects minimal waiting at the polls Tuesday. The county is beginning the online service with Tuesday's primaries to iron out any kinks before busier elections, she said.

Many polling places are at schools. Election officials suggest keeping the times school begins and ends in mind if you want to avoid traffic.

What if I have trouble getting in and out of my car?

People unable to go inside polling places due to age or disability can use curbside voting. Pull up to the sign reading curbside voting and an election worker will come out to help you vote.

Did some people vote early?

Yes: 9,130 of them in Buncombe County, Parker Velez said. That's up from 8,224 in the comparable primary in 2014 and 4,823 in 2010.

Do candidates have to get 50 percent of the vote to win the nomination?

In primaries with more than two candidates, the threshold to win nomination is 30 percent. If more than one candidate gets more than 30 percent of the vote, the one with the highest number of votes wins.

If no candidate tops 30 percent, a runoff primary will be held in seven or 10 weeks if the second-place finisher requests it.

What if I'm having trouble deciding who to vote for?

Most Citizen Times coverage of local races this spring can be seen at www.citizen-times.com/elections. Most candidates have their own websites or Facebook pages or both.

How can I find out who won?

Vote totals, reaction from candidates and other coverage will be on www.citizen-times.com Tuesday evening. The Buncombe County and state boards of elections will also publish figures on their websites, at www.buncombecounty.org/vote and www,ncsbe.gov.