The issue at hand is the deliberate and damaging removal of early voting sites at North Carolina A&T State University and UNCG by the Guilford County Board of Elections, a move taken without public comment or meaningful input from student voices. The board’s decision, made after hearing students were preparing to advocate, represents a troubling effort to suppress young, engaged voters by silencing public discussion and disregarding the powerful civic tradition on both campuses.

Let’s call it what it is: youth voter disenfranchisement. Removing campus polling locations is not just an inconvenience, it’s a textbook example of how voter suppression targets students and young voters, making it harder for us to exercise our fundamental rights and chilling participation in our democracy.

This action runs directly counter to established evidence that campus-based polling places are a proven catalyst for higher youth voter turnout and more inclusive electoral participation. Studies indicate that the presence of early voting sites on college campuses dramatically increases the likelihood that young people will vote, especially for those facing transportation challenges or other barriers to off-campus voting. In 2020 alone, over half of college students nationwide reported that convenient access was essential for their participation, and turnout at schools with polling places was notably higher than at those without.

By blocking early voting at these university sites, the board is knowingly creating unnecessary obstacles for tens of thousands of student voters, and undermining the principles of accessibility and representation that are foundational to a healthy democracy. With the vote now headed to the state Board of Elections, it is more urgent than ever for students and allies to fight back. Through collective advocacy, we must show just how loud and resilient we can be in defense of our civic rights.

This petition is a direct response to an attempt to silence student power. It calls on election officials to reverse this exclusionary decision, preserve critical campus polling places, and reaffirm North Carolina’s commitment to democratic engagement for all.

Youth voter disenfranchisement cannot stand, and with your voice and this petition, we demand better.