OXFORD, N.C. (July 14, 2026) — After weeks of public outcry, the Granville County Board of Elections will reconvene Wednesday to reconsider an early voting plan that would hinder participation by Black voters.
The board met June 16 and, after only 30 minutes of public comment, voted 3-2 to close two historically popular early voting sites — one in downtown Oxford and the other in southwestern Granville, which has served Black communities for over a decade. The community responded loudly in opposition, and in another meeting, the board voted to request additional funding from County Commissioners for another site, which was approved. Now they will meet again to reconsider an early voting plan with more funding.
Southern Coalition for Social Justice sent a letter today to the Granville County Board of Elections urging members to keep South Branch Library and Oxford Public Works as early voting sites, along with Stovall Branch Library as a fourth site.
In 2024, nearly 80% of Granville County voters cast their ballots early. More than 10,200 of those voters, or 40% of all early voters, used Oxford Public Works, the most-used early voting site in the county. South Branch Library has served as an early voting site in every primary and general federal election since 2014. Closing either site would cause significant confusion and hardship for voters who have relied on them for years, according to the letter.
Eliminating South Branch Library and Oxford Public Works, as previously voted on, will especially harm Black voters. A majority of Black voters use Oxford Public Works to vote early, with between 56% and 61% of Black voters using the site in every election from 2016 to 2024. The areas around both Oxford Public Works and South Branch Library have a Black voting-age population of approximately 38%, compared to roughly 10% around Tar River Elementary.
“The message from Granville County voters is clear: Oxford Public Works and South Branch Library should remain early voting sites,” the letter states. “The Board seemingly has heard the public’s voice, as evidenced by the upcoming special meeting. After this important first step, it is imperative that the Board continues to listen to the will of its community.”
Community members and voting rights attorneys will be available for comment at the Wednesday hearing.
WHAT: Granville County Board of Elections Meeting
WHEN: 4:00 p.m. Wednesday, July 15, 2026
WHERE: Granville County Convention and Expo Center, 4185 US Highway 15, Oxford, NC 27565
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Southern Coalition for Social Justice came together in 2007 to give Black, Brown, and low-income people better resources in the fight for justice across the South. We are lawyers, social scientists, and communications professionals working to dismantle racism and oppression in the criminal legal system, in our environment, and at the ballot box. Learn more at southerncoalition.org and follow our work on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn.