NC’s Board of Elections Denies Request to Keep Early Voting Sites on Three College Campuses
The new Republican majority on the NC State Board of Elections (NCSBE) has moved quickly to repress student voting in North Carolina by denying requests from multiple counties to maintain early voting sites on college campuses.
In a contentious meeting last month, the NCSBE voted 3-2 to reject college campus polling places at NC A&T State University in Guilford County, Western Carolina University in Jackson County, and Elon University in Alamance County. In each of those counties, the local county board of elections did not approve their plans by majority vote, and the NCSBE majority came down on the side of the opponents of on-campus voting opportunities for students.
“Your Vote Does Matter”
NC A&T students packed the hearing room of the NCSBE in Raleigh to no avail as the board rejected their long-standing campus polling place. Reactions afterwards were strong. “It’s really disappointing that we came all this way for our voices not to be heard, for us to be laughed at to our face, and for our votes not to be protected, but I’m extremely proud of the effort that we did today,” said A&T student voter engagement leader Zayveon Davis. “So I hope that everybody leaves here knowing that your voice does matter. Your vote does matter. And if it didn’t, they wouldn’t be working this hard to take it away.”
The College Democrats of North Carolina, along with students from the three affected universities, filed a challenge to the decision in federal District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina. The case was heard Thursday in Greensboro, with the presiding judge stating that he expected to issue a decision over the weekend in order to give the losing party an opportunity to appeal.
Check Your Voter Registration
At NCLCV, we believe the most important thing you can do for the environment is vote. Voting keeps our elected officials accountable. When bad actor try to suppress our vote, they are taking away our power to make sure our elected officials work for us.
Now, more than ever before, we need vote for candidates who prioritize clean air, clean water, and a fair, just democracy. Check your voter registration, and make a plan to vote to vote for the environment and democracy this year.
Our environment and our democracy depend on it!
