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

Ruling marks a key decision on policy preferences by Republican-controlled elections boards in the state

Published on Feb. 8, 2026

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A federal judge has refused to order the opening of early voting sites at three public North Carolina universities, rejecting arguments by the College Democrats of North Carolina and some students that the decisions by Republican-controlled elections boards placed undue burdens on the right to vote. The judge said formally backing efforts to open the sites so close to voting could risk confusion.

Why it matters

This ruling highlights the ongoing partisan battles over voting access, particularly at college campuses, as Republicans have gained control of election boards in North Carolina. The decision could impact voter turnout, especially among young and student voters, in the upcoming primary elections.

The details

The lawsuit involved votes by the state board and the elections boards in Jackson and Guilford counties to not include early voting sites at Western Carolina University, the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, and North Carolina A&T State University. An early voting site at Western Carolina has operated regularly since 2016, and sites at the Greensboro campuses have been offered in recent presidential-year elections but not in midterm elections. Lawyers for the boards defended the panels' actions, arguing there is no requirement to retain voting sites used in previous election cycles and that site decisions were based on reasonable circumstances like parking access and past turnout.

  • The March 3 primary election in North Carolina is coming up, with early in-person voting beginning this Thursday.
  • The lawsuit was filed in late January 2026.

The players

U.S. District Judge William Osteen

The federal judge who rejected the Democrats' request for a preliminary injunction or temporary restraining order to open the early voting sites at the three North Carolina universities. Osteen was nominated to the bench by President George W. Bush.

College Democrats of North Carolina

The 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 by not including early voting sites at the three universities.

State Board of Elections

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

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What’s next

The judge's decision can be appealed by the College Democrats of North Carolina and the student voters who filed the lawsuit.

The takeaway

This ruling underscores the partisan battles over voting access in North Carolina, where Republicans have gained control of election boards and are making decisions that could impact voter turnout, particularly among young and student voters, in the upcoming primary elections.