New GOP-controlled local election boards reject early voting sites on most some NC college campuses
Disagreements have always existed over early voting sites in North Carolina, no matter who is in power. County election board members regularly debate over whether to allow Sunday early voting, how many sites to use, where they should be located and how long they should be open.
But in Jackson, Cumberland and Guilford counties, Democratic board members are raising concerns over the exclusion of early voting sites that serve college students from 2026 primary election plans.
In Jackson County, Republican board members voted against Democratic board members to remove an early voting site from Western Carolina University’s campus. In Cumberland County, one Democratic board member wants to include a site across the street from Fayetteville State University as the county’s main site. The Republican majority disagrees. In Guilford County, Republicans denied Democrats’ request to add early voting sites on North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University and University of North Carolina-Greensboro’s campuses.
So far, at least 65 counties have submitted their 2026 primary early voting plans to the State Board of Elections, according to spokesperson Jason Tyson. Sixty had unanimous approval, meaning that they’re essentially good to go. Five were not, which gives the State Board the final say. County boards have until Dec. 19 to send their plans to the state board.
https://www.carolinacoastonline.com/regional/article_fea168ad-b38d-4b6d-bb8f-9e3d0b85dc72.html