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The issue is particularly pronounced on campuses. “When OSV sites are operated on a college campus, it disproportionately favors Democrats,” according to the report. This, they argue, is a clear violation of the law stipulating that voting sites should not preferentially benefit “any party, racial or ethnic group, or candidate.”
The influence of youth votes leans heavily Democratic, which adds weight to the concerns raised by Verity Vote. The Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement noted that in the 2022 elections, 63 percent of voters aged 18-29 supported Democrats, while only 35 percent backed Republicans—a trend consistent with past election cycles.
In specific locales, the disparity is stark. For instance, the precinct around Winston-Salem State University has an enrollment where 96.5 percent of voters affiliated with a major party are Democrats, which is 38.7 percent higher than the broader county demographic. This pattern repeats in other college-based polling places, reflecting a significant political slant.
Verity Vote also provided a pointed example from North Carolina State University in Raleigh, where in the 2020 Presidential election, President Joe Biden secured 88 percent of the campus vote compared to Donald Trump’s 10 percent. This contrasts sharply with the wider Wake County results where Biden won 62.5 percent to Trump’s 35.8 percent.
Moreover, Verity Vote criticized the practical aspects of having polling stations on campuses, noting they could deter non-student voters. Issues such as restricted parking, permit requirements, and complex navigation pose substantial obstacles, potentially disenfranchising voters who are less familiar with the campus environment.
ALERT! Major Water Restrictions In Effect!
The organization concluded that such skewed polling locations could unfairly influence electoral outcomes, calling for an urgent review and relocation of these sites to more politically neutral areas. “One-Stop voting locations in precincts that disproportionately favor either party create an unfair advantage,” Verity Vote emphasized.
In response to these findings, Verity Vote has urged the North Carolina State Board of Elections to take immediate action to rectify this situation and restore the integrity of the state’s voting process. “The election administrators across the state of North Carolina are falling short of their statutory duty to ensure neutrality and the NCSBE has an obligation to immediately take steps to reverse the current situation and ensure compliance with the law,” the report demands.
This unfolding situation has raised significant questions about the fairness of North Carolina’s electoral process, with implications that could resonate well beyond the state’s borders.
