Jashaun Newkirk, Associate Editor

On February 18th, 2026, various UNCG organizations came together, partnering with You Can Vote, to stage a walk to the courthouse downtown so that students could have the opportunity to vote. Holding up signs, students of the African Student Union (ASU), the NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Color People), and SGA (Student Government Association) took a 30-minute walk from the Curry building on UNCG campus to the Guilford Court House on ‎301 W Market St. Because of the removal of polling stations from campus, students took it upon themselves to show that they want to vote and that they won’t be disenfranchised so easily.

Voting is under a tactical and consistent attack in this country, especially under the current administration. In 2026 alone, the SAVE America Act is in process of being implemented, where individuals would have to show proof of U.S. citizenship when registering to vote in federal elections. This is just the basis of voter suppression that is happening countrywide as everyone may not have proof of U.S. citizenship lying around. Only about half of Americans have obtained a valid U.S. passport, a process that could take around four to six weeks and may cost $130 dollars, something a lot of Americans don’t have to spend right now. The bill also includes “a form of identification issued consistent with the requirements of the REAL ID Act of 2005 that indicates the applicant is a citizen of the United States.” However, this is in conflict with most states as REAL IDs aren’t indications of citizenship status.  

The truth of the matter is that this act does more harm than good as this could stop American citizens from being able to actually vote. 

Late last year, the Republican-led board of commissioners in NC approved an early voting map that removed early voting sites from multiple campuses, including the UNCG Kaplan Center, NC A&T, and Washington Terrace. This greatly suppresses the voices of students on college campuses as these places are easy access for students to get their voices out there and make change within their surrounding communities. A lot of students are also away from home and can’t vote in their registered hometowns or states, so not being allowed to register on their campuses sends the message that college students’ voices don’t matter. This is extremely problematic and a direct violation of many rights, including the Voting Rights Act. College students are the next members of society that will be entering the workforce. Why are they trying to disenfranchise a population that needs to be heard the most?

A general sentiment from everyone involved with the walk was that we were there to make noise. To show up, to show out, and to be seen so that we can bring the polling stations back to campus. Speaking with a member of YCV (You Can Vote), I got insight into some hopes from the walk. One of the members said that realistically, we’d only really be a “problem” for the poll workers, who are usually volunteers. However, there was a general hope that we made enough racket to get people talking about polling stations and on-campus voting. NC A&T also did a walk to the polls in a similar fashion (from their campus to downtown Greensboro) using their voices to spread awareness about the issue as well. This shows that there is a concern for voting on college campuses.

College students not only care about having their voices heard, they care about each other on a human level. For example, while crossing the street, some cars would refuse to stop for us as we walked. Some students (and members of YCV) took it upon themselves to use their bodies and block illegal in-coming traffic, allowing the march to pass. As we walked, there was a sense of comradery being built; we were getting to know one another. We even had some other students join us from class as we were walking and we got honks and thanks from people who agreed with our cause. There was so much encouragement from those within the walk and those that were onlookers which made me, someone who was walking, feel accomplished for taking this action.

There was a beauty in seeing so many students come out and support this cause, with at least 50 people participating, not including the people that joined while we were walking. This event proved to those of us who participated and those who saw us walking, that there is a demand for easy access to voting on campus. There is a demand for our voices to be heard. There is a demand that we, as college students, are represented by representatives that actually care about what takes care of us.

Link to the Instagram reel here.

Photos courtesy of @bgencoded on Instagram.