Students, faculty and other community members lined up outside the Creative Services Center, NC State’s on-campus early voting site for the 2016 election. As volunteers for various campaigns passed out flyers, stickers and other political gear, voters awaited the chance to cast their ballots. Located at 1220 Varsity Drive, the polling site is frequented by the No. 5 “Varsity” Wolfline bus, which stops by about every fifteen minutes.
The site is open through 1 p.m. Saturday, and then many students will have Pullen Community Center as their polling place for election day Nov. 8.
Voters also have the option of same-day registration at the McKimmon Center through November 5th. Photo ID isn’t required to vote, but some form of documentation with your name and current address is needed for individuals that wish to register to vote.
Forty-five percent of individuals between the ages of 18 and 29 voted in 2012 and NC State is trying to increase these numbers by encouraging the participation of its students in the current election.
“This [early voting] gives students that have varying schedules from day to day a large time frame to go get their vote in, including weekend voting,” said Mia Connell, student senator representing Poole College of Management and sophomore studying business administration.
Maria Picone, a sophomore studying finance, said she voted early to “get it over with” and “not have to wait in the long lines.”
Margaret Messier, a sophomore studying business administration, chimed in: “We live on Greek Court, so it’s pretty close.”
The on-campus voting site aims to be accessible. Wait times have been about an hour, but may be shorter or longer depending on the time or day.
In addition, students with disabilities can request a ride through the Wolfpack Pick Up service by going to wolfpackpickup.dasa.ncsu.edu and selecting the time, date and location that is most convenient for them.
“[Disability Services Office] is making golf cart trips to the on-campus voting site for students who may require extra assistance in making it to the polls,” said Alex Obiol, a student senator and freshman studying engineering.
Despite the proximity of the McKimmon Center, Student Government initially wanted Talley Student Union to host the on-campus voting site for the 2016 election.
However, the Wake County Board of Elections decided against using Talley as a polling place, citing its lack of available parking for staffers and voters.
The Creative Services Building is located at 1220 Varsity Drive. The building was chosen as an on-campus early voting location earlier this year.
