The Guilford County Board of Elections in North Carolina is currently facing growing criticism after approving an early voting plan that removes polling locations from North Carolina A&T State University (NC A&T) and the University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNC Greensboro), prompting accusations that the decision could disproportionately affect Black and young voters. Some critics even went as far as accusing the board of racism.
The incident occurred on July 21, ending in a 4-1 vote. The board approved a 17-site early voting map for the 2026 midterm elections that excludes campus locations used successfully during the 2024 presidential election. The approved plan omits voting sites at NC A&T, UNC Greensboro, and Guilford Technical Community College, despite months of advocacy. Students argued that the campus polling places dramatically improved access to the ballot during the 2024 election.
According to election data, the NC A&T site served 6,487 early voters, while UNC Greensboro recorded 6,800 voters, making them among the county’s busiest early voting locations. In addition to students, these voting sites also served a large number of Black voters and members of the Black community worry that removing these sites supposedly creates unnecessary barriers to voting.
The board’s move has since sparked backlash, as you can see in the video. One man heckled the county board, shouting to them, “This is a racist act you’re doing.” Additionally, the board was accused of being MAGA supporters, where the angry individual added, “Stop faking for Trump, stop faking for MAGA.” Because the vote was not unanimous, the proposal will now be reviewed by the North Carolina State Board of Elections, which has the authority to approve the majority plan.
People online are protesting
Board Chair Eugene Lester, a Republican, defended the decision, arguing that the new Union Square location would adequately serve students because it is affiliated with several local educational institutions. He also noted that the county’s proposed 17 early voting sites represent the highest number ever offered during a midterm election.
Even so, the county board’s decision and attempt to remove the previously accessible university voting sites have ignited a wave of offline and online protests. Some social media users even accused the board of further racism, writing that the attempt was, “Just another attempt by racist white MAGA to weaken the black vote.”
Others believe that voting days should be declared as National Holidays to make voting more accessible. “Please don’t let these [expletive] prevent you from voting. Voting day should be a national holiday. People shouldn’t have to choose between a paycheck, and voting. That said, don’t let them take your vote away,” rants a commenter.
