Judge rejects Democrats’ plea for early voting sites at 3 North Carolina universities

Federal Judge Rejects Early Voting Sites at North Carolina Universities Ahead of Primary

A federal judge has denied requests to establish early voting sites at three North Carolina public universities, dealing a blow to student voting advocates just days before the state’s primary election begins.

U.S. District Judge William Osteen on Sunday refused to overturn decisions made by Republican-controlled county election boards that opted against placing polling locations at Western Carolina University, the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, and North Carolina A&T State University.

The ruling comes at a critical moment, with early in-person voting for North Carolina’s March 3 primary set to begin Thursday. The primary includes significant races for U.S. Senate and House seats, as well as state legislative and local positions.

In his decision, Osteen, a George W. Bush nominee, rejected arguments from the College Democrats of North Carolina and student plaintiffs that the absence of on-campus voting sites created unconstitutional burdens on students’ right to vote. He also expressed concern that judicial intervention this close to the start of voting could create confusion among voters.

The case highlights the shifting political dynamics in North Carolina’s election administration. Recent state legislation changed the composition of both the State Board of Elections and all 100 county election boards from Democratic to Republican majorities, giving the GOP greater control over voting access decisions.

Western Carolina University had maintained an early voting site since 2016, while the Greensboro campuses have historically lacked polling locations during midterm elections. North Carolina A&T State University, which is affected by the ruling, holds particular significance as the nation’s largest historically Black university.

The plaintiffs argued that without on-campus voting locations, students—particularly those less familiar with the voting process—would face substantial hurdles including transportation challenges and time constraints. The lawsuit claimed these barriers disproportionately impact younger voters and students of color.

Defense attorneys representing the election boards countered that there is no legal requirement to maintain voting sites used in previous elections. They maintained that the boards’ decisions were based on practical considerations including parking availability and historical voter turnout at these locations, not partisan motivations.

This case marks an important test of election administration under the state’s newly configured Republican-majority boards. Voting rights advocates have expressed concern that such changes could limit voting access for certain demographics, particularly in areas with significant youth and minority populations.

Early voting has become increasingly popular in North Carolina, with the convenience of same-day registration available at all early voting sites. The elimination of campus-based voting locations could potentially affect turnout in an important primary that will determine party nominees for the 2024 general election.

The plaintiffs retain the option to appeal Osteen’s ruling, though time is rapidly running short before early voting begins. Election officials across the state are now finalizing preparations for the primary, which will serve as an important indicator of political trends in a key battleground state.

North Carolina’s changing electoral landscape reflects broader national tensions over voting access, with Republican officials often emphasizing security and efficiency while Democratic groups advocate for greater accessibility and convenience, particularly for historically underrepresented communities.