Cooper, in Senate campaign stop at A&T, praises student resilience over fight to keep campus polling site

Cooper also visited to show solidarity after the removal of A&T’s sole campus polling site. Last November, the Guilford County Board of Elections voted 3–2 to eliminate the early voting site on the campus of North Carolina A&T State University. The N.C. State Board of Elections later affirmed that decision, despite pleas from dozens of A&T and UNC Greensboro students who drove to Raleigh to protest the loss of voting sites on their campuses.

Outside of Frye Hall, several media organizations had gathered, setting up cameras and equipment to cover the event. Nearby, a table offered food and beverages to attendees, while student organizers stood holding signs in support of Cooper’s bid for Senate, aiming to attract public attention and engage passersby.

Student civic engagement leaders Shia Rozier and Olu Rouse introduced the former governor, highlighting his accomplishments and North Carolina upbringing.

Cooper opened his speech by immediately addressing the key issues driving his campaign for the U.S. Senate.

“Everything is just so expensive. The cost of living is too high, utilities are too high, child care is too high,” he said. “And the people in Washington are doing nothing about it.”

Each proclamation was met with resounding “mhms” and other affirming echoes from the crowd of students and faculty.

Cooper expressed concern over the removal of the polling site and commended students for their resilience in challenging the decision, despite facing resistance from board officials..

Jimmie Holton, a first year political science student and campus organizer, said Cooper’s visit to A&T was  important.

“I wouldn’t say we’re out here for Roy, I’d say it’s more of Roy is out here for us,” said Holton. “He is out here trying to make sure we can get our student body involved….we’re trying to get our polling site back and we can’t do that without student participation.”

Holton, who goes by “Seven,” was accompanied by first year health service management student Yasmina Issaka.

“Just being able to show up and be that example is important,” Issaka said. “At the county Board of Elections meeting, they said A&T doesn’t show up. They said we have the lowest numbers, so since we do have the lowest numbers, we’re trying to show y’all we want to increase our numbers.”

Cooper’s visit coincided with the last day that N.C. A&T provided free shuttles to the early voting site at the Guilford Ag Center Barn. The shuttle system operated every 20-30 minutes to ensure that every student who showed up had the opportunity to vote.

Early voting continues through Feb. 28. The primary election is March 3.

For more information on early voting sites, precinct locations and key deadlines, visit www.guilfordcountync.gov/government/board-elections.