Judge Denies Democrats' Plea for Early Voting Sites at North Carolina Universities

Ruling upholds Republican-controlled election boards' decisions ahead of state's primary election.

Published on Feb. 8, 2026

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A federal judge has rejected attempts by the College Democrats of North Carolina and some students to open early voting sites at three public universities in the state. U.S. District Judge William Osteen, nominated by former President George W. Bush, declined to issue a preliminary injunction or temporary restraining order that would have overruled the decisions by Republican-controlled elections boards to not establish the additional early voting locations before the state's upcoming primary election on March 3.

Why it matters

The judge's decision maintains the status quo for early voting access in North Carolina, which has been a battleground state in recent elections. The dispute highlights ongoing partisan tensions over voting rules and access, with Democrats arguing the GOP-backed decisions place undue burdens on the right to vote, while Republicans defend the boards' authority to make such determinations.

The details

The College Democrats of North Carolina and some students had argued they were likely to win a recent lawsuit challenging the election boards' decisions, but Judge Osteen rejected those arguments in denying their requests for preliminary injunctive relief. Early in-person voting for the March 3 primary, which includes nomination races for U.S. Senate and House, the state legislature, and local elections, is set to begin this Thursday.

  • The March 3 primary election in North Carolina is scheduled for 2026.
  • Early in-person voting for the primary begins on Thursday, February 13, 2026.

The players

U.S. District Judge William Osteen

A federal judge nominated to the bench by former President George W. Bush, who denied the request for a preliminary injunction or temporary restraining order sought by the College Democrats of North Carolina and some students.

College Democrats of North Carolina

A group that filed a lawsuit and sought to have early voting sites opened at three public universities in the state, arguing the Republican-controlled election boards' decisions placed undue burdens on the right to vote.

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What’s next

The College Democrats of North Carolina may choose to appeal Judge Osteen's ruling denying their request for preliminary injunctive relief.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing partisan battles over voting access and rules, with Democrats arguing Republican-backed decisions unfairly restrict voting opportunities, while GOP officials defend their authority to make such determinations. The judge's ruling maintains the status quo for early voting in North Carolina ahead of the state's primary election.