North Carolina -- February 4, 2026: Students in North Carolina and across the state are challenging recent decisions to eliminate early voting locations on university campuses. The legal battle, centered on the 2026 primary elections, could significantly impact student voter turnout and long-term youth political participation.
Voting Site Closures and Federal Lawsuit
On January 27, 2026, students from Western Carolina University (WCU), UNC-Greensboro (UNC-G), and North Carolina A&T State University filed a federal lawsuit (Case No. 1:26-cv-92) against the North Carolina State Board of Elections (NCSBE) and its members. The suit, backed by the College Democrats of North Carolina, seeks an emergency injunction to restore on-campus early voting sites before the February 12 start date.
The challenge follows a 3-2 party-line vote by the NCSBE to uphold county plans that removed these high-traffic locations. While the board also rejected a site at Elon University, the federal complaint specifically focuses on the three public institutions, which serve over 40,000 students combined.
Legal Challenge and Safety Concerns
The lawsuit alleges that the removals violate the 14th Amendment (Equal Protection) and the 26th Amendment (Age Discrimination). Plaintiffs argue the changes disproportionately burden young and Black voters who often lack reliable transportation.
Specific concerns were raised regarding WCU, where the campus site served more Black voters in 2024 than any other location in Jackson County. With the site removed, students must now travel nearly two miles to the Cullowhee Recreation Center—a route that requires walking along a busy four-lane highway with no sidewalks.
The NCSBE defended the closures by citing "operational issues," including parking shortages and a desire to save between $6,000 and $20,000. However, the lawsuit counters that these barriers effectively "abridge" the right to vote by eliminating same-day registration access on campus.
Potential Impact on 2026 Elections
The outcome of the primary—scheduled for March 3, 2026—could hinge on student participation. Experts warn that increasing the distance to polling places is a proven method of voter suppression. A federal hearing for a temporary restraining order is expected by February 5, 2026, as plaintiffs race to restore access before the February 12–28 early voting window.
WNCTimes