Protect Our Civic Traditions: A Call to Action for NC Community Leaders
The North Carolina State Board of Elections will be reviewing the non-unanimous Early Voting plans submitted by counties. These plans determine if communities will retain access to Sunday voting and polling sites that serve Black communities and HBCU campuses.
Impacted Counties: Residents of Anson, Chatham, Cumberland, Greene, Guilford, Harnett, Lee, Nash, Pasquotank, Rockingham, Rowan, and Scotland Counties.
Why This Matters:
- Could disproportionately impact Black voters, students, and faith-based mobilization who historically utilize Sunday and Weekend Voting.
- The goal of the NC State Board of Elections should be to encourage voter engagement and promote accessible early voting sites.
Call to Action:
- Submit a public comment until August 17
- Share this information with your organization/community
- Encourage others in your network to submit comments
For HBCU Leaders: Protect March to the Polls & Party at the Polls
HBCU leaders, we need you to help protect March to the Polls and Party at the Polls! The proposed rule could disproportionately impact HBCU campus mobilizations that have historically used these events to encourage student voter participation. It also creates unclear enforcement standards across polling locations.
Access the HBCU Sample Public Comment Bank for ready-to-use comment templates.
Ways to Engage Your Base:
Host a table or an event to share information with your fellow students:
- Provide the email address to the State Board of Elections or the public comment portal link to submit electronically.
- Provide some sample responses to assist chapter members.
For Faith & Divine 9 Leaders: Protect Souls to the Polls & Strolls to the Polls
Divine 9 and faith leaders — we need you to help protect Souls to the Polls and Strolls to the Polls! The proposed rule could disproportionately impact faith-based and Greek-letter organization mobilizations that have historically used these events to encourage voter participation. It may also create unclear enforcement standards across polling locations.
Access the Divine 9 and Faith Sample Public Comment Bank for ready-to-use comment templates.
Ways to Engage Your Base:
Divine 9 Organizations: Host an event at your next chapter meeting
- Provide the email address to the State Board of Elections or the public comment portal link to submit electronically.
- Provide some sample responses to assist chapter members.
Faith Organizations: Host a table or share the information with your fellow members
- Provide the email address to the State Board of Elections or the public comment portal link to submit electronically.
- Provide some sample responses to assist chapter members.
How You Can Take Action
Submit a public comment now through July 14. Share this information with your organization and community, and encourage others in your network to submit comments.
- Online Portal: NC State Board of Elections public comment portal
- Email: rulemaking.sboe@ncsbe.gov
- In-Person Public Hearing: 9 a.m. August 20, 2026, in the Board Room at the State Board of Elections, Dobbs Building, 430 N. Salisbury St., Raleigh, NC 27603.
- Mail: Attn: Rulemaking Coordinator, P.O. Box 27255, Raleigh, NC 27611-7255 (Identify the specific rule being commented on.)
