North Carolina college students lose court battle to open early voting sites on campus

NC A&T State University tried unsuccessfully on Jan. 13, 2026 to have the NC Board of Elections approve a voting site on the Greensboro HBCU’s campus.(Photo: Lynn Bonner/NC Newsline)

By Clayton Henkel, NC Newsline February 9, 2026

Republished by GDN February 2, 2026

U.S. District Judge William L. Osteen denied a motion for a preliminary injunction for North Carolina college students seeking to have polling sites available on their campuses when early in-person voting begins this week.

The state Board of Elections rejected early voting sites in January at on-campus locations at NC A&T State University, UNC-Greensboro, and Western Carolina University. College Democrats of North Carolina and students at the three campuses appealed, arguing that denying universities early voting sites was part of a targeted effort to limit young people’s opportunities to vote.

The students argued in their suit that because many do not have transportation, it would be difficult to travel to the off-campus polling locations.

But Osteen wrote in a Sunday opinion that in the court’s view, the solution being sought by the college students was “problematic” because it would depend on the actions of third parties beyond the court’s control.

“Those universities are independent entities that are not party to this case and not subject to this court’s equitable powers,” reasoned Osteen.

Further, Osteen said that it was also “speculative” to suggest that granting the motion would result in the opening of on-campus early voting sites at the three campuses in just a matter of days.

“That the universities hosted early voting sites in prior elections, or that one of them indicated over a month ago that it could do so in this election, is one thing,” Osteen continued in his 14-page ruling. “Whether they are able or willing to do so now, only days away from the start of the early voting period, is another.”

The court further reasoned that it would risk causing voter confusion if it were to issue a preliminary injunction now, given that the locations and schedules for early voting were publicized in January.

While Osteen left open the door for a possible appeal, timing may be an issue. Early in-person voting begins on Thursday for the March 3 primary election.

Click here to read the full ruling by U.S. District Judge William L. Osteen. 

NC Newsline is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. NC Newsline maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Laura Leslie for questions: [email protected].