NC State Students Gear Up for First Voting Experience
As the 2026 general election nears, many students at North Carolina State University are preparing to cast their ballots for the first time. To assist in this process, the Student Leadership and Engagement (SLE) department has launched the Pack the Polls initiative, which aims to facilitate early voting on campus and provide nonpartisan resources to help students make informed decisions.
Harrison Andrews, assistant director for civic and community engagement at SLE, emphasized the importance of voting, stating, “Your vote is your voice. It’s one of the best ways to make your voice heard in the United States.”
Early Voting Location and Accessibility
For NC State students, faculty, staff, and local residents, 1220 Varsity Drive will serve as the primary location for early voting. This site, situated near the intersection of Western Boulevard and Varsity Drive, will be available from October 15 to October 31 at 3 p.m. Eligible Wake County voters can both register and vote at this site on the same day, although this will not be an option on the general election day, November 3. Students can use their Wolfpack One Campus ID cards as valid photo identification for voting.
Pack the Polls student ambassadors will be on hand to assist fellow students in creating plans to vote early. Joseph Glover, associate director of SLE, noted the importance of accessibility for students, especially those voting for the first time.
To facilitate transportation for students living on campus, there will be multiple options available, including free shuttle services, walking groups from Talley Student Union, and public buses. Additionally, free parking will be provided for those who drive to the voting location.
Promoting Civic Engagement Among Students
NC State has maintained its status as an on-campus early voting site since 2012, showcasing consistent participation rates. SLE staff actively collaborates with the Wake County Board of Elections to ensure this capability continues. Alexa Hill, a third-year student and civic engagement intern, highlighted that having an accessible voting site on campus is crucial, particularly for first-year students.
Pack the Polls operates with the nonpartisan mission of encouraging voting within the Wolfpack community, reinforcing the message that “your vote is your voice.” Hill expressed her belief in the democratic process, stating that voting is essential for the republic’s functioning.
Glover added that voting is a way for students to transition from discussing issues to actively participating in their resolution. He stated, “Every policy that touches their tuition, their safety or community, their future really runs through the people that they help put into office.”
Upcoming Events to Educate Voters
As the early voting period approaches, Pack the Polls has organized a series of events aimed at preparing students to vote and make informed choices. These include Civic Fridays and the Active Citizenry Series, which focus on educating students about candidates and issues.
The initiative will host biweekly coalition meetings on Mondays at Talley Student Union, providing a platform for students to engage in civic activities. Andrews remarked on the role of these events in fostering leadership and civic responsibility among students.
Hill, who leads the Civic Fridays, shared that these gatherings will offer voter registration assistance, free stamps for mail-in ballots, and information about candidates.
Prior to early voting, two additional workshops from the Active Citizenry Series will be conducted to help students research candidates and their positions on key issues. Hill emphasized the importance of voter education, stating, “We want students to be able to be educated… Not only do we want them to go out and vote, but we also want them to understand what the implication of each vote is.”
This initiative reflects NC State’s ongoing commitment to encouraging civic engagement among its students, ensuring that they are prepared to make their voices heard in the upcoming election.
Source: NC State University. Photo: NC State University.
