Judge Rejects Democrats' Plea for Early Voting Sites at 3 North Carolina Universities

Ruling marks key decision on policy preferences by Republican-controlled election boards

Published on Feb. 8, 2026

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A federal judge refused to help in attempts to open early voting sites at three public North Carolina universities, declining requests to overrule decisions by Republican-controlled elections boards leading up to the state's upcoming primary. The College Democrats of North Carolina and some students had argued the GOP board members' decisions placed undue burdens on the right to vote, but the judge said formally backing the efforts could risk confusion so close to voting.

Why it matters

This ruling highlights the ongoing partisan battles over voting access, with Republicans seeking to limit early voting options that tend to benefit Democrats, especially at college campuses. It also reflects the shift in power on state and local election boards from Democratic to Republican majorities following a recent state law change.

The details

U.S. District Judge William Osteen, nominated by President George W. Bush, rejected arguments that the plaintiffs were likely to win their lawsuit because the GOP board members' decisions placed undue burdens on the right to vote. Osteen said formally backing the efforts to open the sites so close to voting could risk confusion.

  • Early in-person voting for the March 3 primary begins this Thursday, February 13, 2026.
  • The lawsuit was filed in late January 2026.

The players

William Osteen

A federal judge nominated to the bench by President George W. Bush.

College Democrats of North Carolina

An arm of the state Democratic party that sued along with four voters, accusing the state board and boards in Jackson and Guilford counties of violating the U.S. Constitution.

State Board of Elections

The state election board, which recently shifted from Democratic to Republican majorities following a state law change.

Jackson County Board of Elections

One of the county election boards that voted not to include an early voting site at Western Carolina University.

Guilford County Board of Elections

One of the county election boards that voted not to include early voting sites at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and North Carolina A&T State University.

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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 decision by Judge Osteen can be appealed by the plaintiffs.

The takeaway

This ruling highlights the ongoing partisan battles over voting access, with Republicans seeking to limit early voting options that tend to benefit Democrats, especially at college campuses. It also reflects the shift in power on state and local election boards from Democratic to Republican majorities following a recent state law change.