Students Rally Against NC Officials Cutting Sunday Voting, Campus Polls

Recent decisions by North Carolina’s Republican-controlled State Board of Elections have sparked significant backlash among voters, particularly regarding the elimination of Sunday voting and campus polling places. These changes were finalized in a meeting held on Tuesday, as part of preparations for the upcoming March primaries.

Voting Changes in North Carolina

Since gaining control of elections administration in mid-2025, Republicans have moved to implement longstanding party objectives. More than a dozen counties, including Cumberland and Harnett, are at the center of these political disputes. The state elections board had to step in to approve plans that failed to receive unanimous support at the local level.

Contentious Decision-Making

Board member Stacy Eggers IV justified the elimination of Sunday voting hours, citing North Carolina’s extensive early voting period. He noted, “We have ample opportunities in the nation for people to vote.” However, this stance contradicts previous court rulings which deemed similar attempts to target Sunday voting as unconstitutional, particularly against Black voters.

• Sunday voting has historically been popular among Black voters, who often organize events like “souls to the polls.”
• The recent board meeting attracted dozens of protestors, with many highlighting the suppression of voter rights.

Campus Voting Rejections

In addition to discussions on Sunday voting, the board rejected proposals for early voting sites at college campuses, including the largest Historically Black College and University (HBCU) in the nation, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University (NCA&T). Student protests intensified after these rejections, as students claimed they were being silenced and their voting rights undermined.

Students from NCA&T, along with their supporters, staged protests outside the elections board meeting. They argued that their participation in the electoral process is critical and that the decision to remove polling places from campuses is a direct attack on student voting rights.

Impacts on Voter Participation

Data from local elections show that Sunday has been one of the most popular days for early voting in places like Greene County. However, Republican board members argued that staffing challenges and the need for election workers contributed to their decision to eliminate Sunday voting hours.

• Republican Jody Tyson, county board chairman, expressed concerns over finding volunteers to work on Sundays.
• Democratic members of the board pushed back, stating that Sunday voting is crucial for community engagement.

Future Legal and Political Ramifications

The decisions made by the board could set precedents for future elections and may face legal challenges similar to previous attempts. Last year, federal courts halted efforts to restrict Sunday polling due to their discriminatory nature.

As the March primaries approach, it remains to be seen whether these strategies will spark similar outcry or legal battles in the fall elections. Many local leaders argue that increasing voting access is essential for fostering civic engagement among all demographics.

The actions and responses from voters in North Carolina illustrate the ongoing struggle over voting rights and accessibility, particularly affecting communities that have historically faced barriers to participation. The outcome of these disputes will be closely watched as elections draw nearer.