North Carolina -- October 17, 2026: University students across North Carolina are organizing marches, walking groups and transportation to the polls following changes to campus early voting locations during 2026.
In Greensboro, more than 100 students from North Carolina A&T State University and UNC Greensboro marched to Union Square on Thursday, October 15, the first day of early voting for the November election. Both universities had sought campus early voting sites but were left out of the approved fall plan. www.wunc.org
The trip from A&T took approximately 45 minutes in 85-degree heat. WFDD reported that missing sidewalks and branches obstructing parts of the route forced some participants into the street. At Union Square, the voting line extended outside the building. www.wunc.org
The march highlighted the practical consequences of polling locations: for students without vehicles or with limited time between classes and work, reaching a voting site can require additional planning.
Six universities experienced changes during 2026
At least six North Carolina universities experienced early voting site exclusions, closures or relocations during 2026: N.C. A&T, UNC Greensboro, Elon University, Western Carolina University, Elizabeth City State University and N.C. State University. Their circumstances differ, and primary-season decisions do not necessarily reflect the voting options available this fall. spectrumlocalnews.com
N.C. A&T State University and UNC Greensboro were denied campus early voting sites for the primary and fall election. Both hosted early voting during the 2024 presidential election, although neither had previously hosted early voting during a midterm election year. Their students’ October 15 march brought attention to requests for more convenient campus access. spectrumlocalnews.com
Elon University went without a campus early voting site for the March primary. For the November election, however, campus voting returned. The university’s South Gym, at 329 S. Antioch Avenue, is hosting early voting during the October 15–31 period and is one of five early voting locations in Alamance County. www.elonnewsnetwork.com
Western Carolina University also lost its campus early voting site for the primary. On February 13, roughly 50 students marched approximately 1.5 miles from campus to the Cullowhee Recreation Center to cast ballots, according to the Smoky Mountain News. smokymountainnews.com
WCU’s fall arrangements are different. Campus early voting returned at the Health and Human Sciences building, and university community engagement announcements identify CATTRAN transportation options for reaching the location. www.facebook.com
Elizabeth City State University was denied an on-campus early voting site for the fall election, according to the Fair Elections Center, a voting rights organization advocating for campus access. The State Board of Elections’ current list identifies the Pasquotank County elections office at 1409 Parkview Drive as the county’s early voting location. fairelectionscenter.org
N.C. State University retained campus early voting, but the location moved from Talley Student Union to a university services building at 1220 Varsity Drive. The new location is approximately a mile from Talley and requires students traveling from central campus to navigate nearby roads. ncnewsline.com
Students organize walks and rides
N.C. State’s Pack the Polls program scheduled an October 15 kickoff walk and advertises walking groups from Talley, a trip the university estimates at about 20 minutes. Free shuttle service between Talley and the replacement voting location is scheduled for October 21–31. calendar.ncsu.edu
UNC Greensboro’s Office of Leadership and Civic Engagement also provides early voting shuttle sign-ups through its voter information page. olce.uncg.edu
In Durham on October 15, marchers traveled from St. Joseph AME Church to North Carolina Central University’s School of Law, where early voting was taking place. Bishop William Barber met participants there and encouraged voter participation. NCCU is not among the six universities identified here as having campus voting-site changes. ncnewsline.com
Election officials and students weigh access differently
Election officials have cited parking, logistics and proximity to other polling places among their reasons for rejecting or relocating campus sites. At N.C. State, supporters of the replacement location argued that it offered easier access for voters arriving by car. Opponents emphasized Talley’s familiarity and convenience for students. abc11.com
Students and voting access advocates argue that longer trips can create barriers for people without vehicles or those balancing academic and employment schedules. WCU’s February march and Greensboro’s October march illustrate how students have responded by traveling together to cast their ballots. fairelectionscenter.org
The six universities do not represent six campuses currently without voting locations. Elon and Western Carolina have campus early voting this fall, while N.C. State’s location was moved within university property. Those distinctions matter as students make plans to vote. www.elon.edu
North Carolina’s in-person early voting period ends Saturday, October 31, at 3 p.m. Election Day is Tuesday, November 3. Voters should confirm locations and operating hours through their county elections office or the North Carolina State Board of Elections. Early voting sites may differ from assigned Election Day polling places.