Guilford Board Rejects On Campus Early Voting Sites for 2026

The Guilford County Board of Elections today declined to add on campus early voting locations at North Carolina A&T and UNC Greensboro to its plan for the 2026 primary. The decision came as Republican members on the newly formed majority pushed back on proposals from Democratic colleagues who also suggested adding Barber Park and Washington Terrace to better serve lower income neighborhoods.

Board members and the county elections director discussed turnout patterns and cost considerations during the meeting. County officials noted that campus polling locations have historically been used more often in presidential years, and that adding sites for a midterm primary raises questions about expected voter use and the resources required to staff and equip additional locations.

The vote was not unanimous, which means the county plan will be reviewed by the State Board of Elections. That review could uphold the county decision or request adjustments if the state board finds the plan does not meet legal or equity standards. Similar votes have taken place in several other counties where recent shifts in board control have led to fewer campus early voting sites being included in local plans.

For Guilford residents, the decision carries direct implications for students at NC A&T and UNC Greensboro who may face longer travel times or other barriers to casting ballots during the early voting period. Community leaders and campus organizers have argued that closer polling sites help increase youth participation and lower the threshold for first time voters. Election officials counter that limited budgets and staffing must be balanced against anticipated turnout in a primary year.

The county will publish its final early voting schedule after the State Board of Elections completes its review of any not unanimous plans. Voters concerned about access or transportation options should follow updates from the Guilford County Board of Elections and the State Board of Elections for finalized site lists and early voting hours. The outcome in Guilford will be watched locally and statewide as part of a broader conversation about how election administration decisions shape voter access, particularly for younger and lower income communities.