Hundreds of UNC Charlotte students march to polls during early voting

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (WBTV) - In the final days of early voting, hundreds of UNC Charlotte students marched about a mile from the student union to their closest polling location to cast their ballots.

Students representing about 20 campus organizations gathered with signs encouraging voting around 3 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 28, for the march to the polls.

The line of young voters wrapped into the parking lot of the former University City Regional Library.

For some of the students, this will be the first time they vote. The group said they were excited to be part of the process and wanted their voices to be heard.

“It’s very empowering and it’s a very nice change to know that we as students can make a change and I’m glad that we’re out here today doing it,” said Jada Jewel, a UNC Charlotte student.

“People before me have always been fighting for us to have a message and voice so I want to use my voice and do what my ancestors fought for their whole life,” said Nyzia Heath, a UNC Charlotte student.

The march was organized by The Greater Good, a nonprofit started by UNC Charlotte student Sawyer Hook during his freshman year.

Hook said he was inspired by marches by students at North Carolina A&T and other schools. He said bringing his classmates together to vote is not about how they vote, but that they take action to do it.

“I’m not one to tell people how to vote or who to vote for, but I am one to say to vote,” said Hook, the march organizer. “Regardless of what I believe, I can’t change the way other people think. However, I can change whether people vote and how eager they want to do that for themselves.”

UNC Charlotte served as a polling location in 2024, but typically does not serve as one for midterms due to turnout, according to a representative with the Mecklenburg County Board of Elections.

U.S. Rep. Alma Adams, D-N.C., came out to support the students at the polling location in her district.

“I think what’s really important is that these young people understand that their vote does matter because some people would tell me well my vote doesn’t matter well it won’t matter if you don’t cast it,” Adams said.