New polling site puts NC State students farther from the ballot box

For N.C. State senior Joshua Ni, voting early meant fitting a ballot into the rhythm of campus life.  

But earlier this year, the polling place he used in 2024 was moved from the Talley Student Union, making the trip less convenient for Ni and other students who might otherwise walk to the polls.  

Talley Student Union sits at the center of campus and is a short walk for many students. The center houses restaurants, apparel shops and several student organizations. 

“Clearly, moving it away from central campus to me seems like they wanted fewer students to vote,” he said after voting Thursday. 

The new location at the N.C. State Western Boulevard Services building is about a mile away from Talley Student Union.  To get there, students must cross either a two-lane road or the heavily trafficked four lanes on Western Boulevard.  

The move followed a 3-2 vote by the Wake County Board of Elections in June. Republican board members rejected a proposal to keep Talley, which had hosted early voting during previous election cycles, including the 2024 general election. 

Republicans axe NC State student center as an early voting site

Republican board members argued the Business Services building would be easier for voters arriving by car because it had more parking space. Opponents of the move said the Talley location was a familiar, accessible site for students. 

N.C. State’s Pack the Polls voter engagement program is offering a free shuttle service between Talley and the new polling location from Oct. 21 through Oct. 31, the final day of early voting. The service was not running on the first day of voting, Thursday. 

“Even then, it won’t compare to just being in the student union,” Ni said. 

Wally Robertson, the chief judge at the new site, said it’s too early to determine whether the move affected turnout. He said voter totals and age ranges will be available through the Wake County Board of Elections website. 

Karen St. Clair, who plans to greet voters next week and offer rides to those who need transportation, visited the new polling place Thursday to vote early and familiarize herself with the location. 

“If I’m going to help people where I live, because I’m going to offer rides and bring them here, I need to see it,” she said.