North Carolina board blocks on-campus early voting at largest HBCU
The GOP-controlled North Carolina State Board of Elections voted against establishing an early-voting site at North Carolina A&T State University, limiting access for many Black students.
In a Thursday vote, the Republican-led North Carolina State Board of Elections declined to provide an accessible early-voting precinct at North Carolina A&T State University, the country’s biggest HBCU. Student leaders had appealed for an on-campus polling place for the November general election, but the board voted along party lines to deny the request, echoing earlier decisions that limited Sunday voting in multiple counties.
Democracy Docket’s Natalie Hausmann reported that the board allowed the students to attend the meeting, yet still voted against them. Brian Kennedy of Democracy North Carolina warned the ruling could serve as a model for voter suppression across the United States. Democratic board member Jeff Carmon questioned whether any voter benefits from reduced ballot-casting opportunities and hinted at possible racial motives behind the GOP-controlled county plans.
Why it matters
Limiting early voting at a major HBCU could suppress Black voter turnout in a pivotal swing state.
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