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

Ruling marks shift in state's election board control from Democrats to Republicans

Published on Feb. 8, 2026

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A federal judge in North Carolina has rejected a request by the College Democrats of North Carolina and several students to open early voting sites at three public universities in the state ahead of the upcoming primary election. U.S. District Judge William Osteen, nominated by President George W. Bush, denied the request for a preliminary injunction or temporary restraining order, citing concerns about potential voter confusion so close to the start of early voting.

Why it matters

The judge's ruling is seen as a key decision reflecting the shift in control of the state's election boards from Democratic to Republican majorities following a recent state law change. The decision could impact voter access, especially for college students, in the upcoming primary election.

The details

The lawsuit filed by the College Democrats and students accused the Republican-controlled state and county election boards of violating the U.S. Constitution by refusing to include early voting sites at Western Carolina University, the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, and North Carolina A&T State University, the largest historically Black university in the country. Early voting sites have been offered at these campuses in recent presidential election years but not in midterm elections.

  • Early in-person voting for the March 3 primary begins this Thursday, February 13, 2026.
  • The judge's ruling was issued on Sunday, February 9, 2026.

The players

William Osteen

A federal judge nominated to the bench by President George W. Bush, who denied the request for a preliminary injunction or temporary restraining order to open early voting sites at the three North Carolina universities.

College Democrats of North Carolina

The state Democratic party's college arm that filed the lawsuit along with several students, arguing the Republican-controlled election boards' decisions violated the U.S. Constitution.

North Carolina State Board of Elections

The state election board that, along with election boards in Jackson and Guilford counties, voted not to include early voting sites at the three universities.

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What they’re saying

“Formally backing efforts to open the sites so close to voting could risk confusion.”

— William Osteen, Federal Judge

What’s next

The College Democrats of North Carolina and the student plaintiffs can appeal the judge's ruling denying their request for a preliminary injunction or temporary restraining order.

The takeaway

This case highlights the partisan divide over voting access policies in North Carolina, with the shift in election board control from Democrats to Republicans leading to decisions that could make it more difficult for college students to vote in the upcoming primary election.