Voting, Free Speech Education and Resources
This page is your one-stop-shop for information about voter rights, education, and free speech. Find out about important dates and deadlines, ways to prepare to vote, your rights as a voter, and the option of voting by absentee ballot if you can’t vote in-person.
University Procedures for Free Speech and Free Expression
WSSU, in alignment with the UNC System Policy on Free Speech and Free Expression, provides clear guidelines to protect free speech while ensuring order on campus:
UNC System Free Speech and Free Expression Policy
Information for Faculty and Staff:
Reminders Regarding University Employment and Political Activities
Letters to Students:
- Voting Information and Freedom of Expression Letter to Students
- Freedom of Expression Information and Training
Outdoor Assemblies Policy (Student Affairs)
This policy applies to assemblies and public addresses on WSSU Property by faculty, staff, and students, affiliated student organizations, affiliated persons or groups, and unaffiliated persons or groups invited in writing by affiliated student organizations or university units, including those defined as a University Group, a Student Group, and Non-University Groups.
- Individuals or groups not affiliated with the University must apply to reserve locations outlined in the 900.9 Outdoor Assemblies Policy on the WSSU campus.
- An application should be filed with University Student Activities & Engagement in DJR Suite 204, three (3) business days prior to the proposed time and date of the event. The application will automatically submit to the Assistant Director of Student Activities.
- Using campus facilities for an Outdoor Assembly or Voter Registration Drive is limited to Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Event Inquiry Process (Conferences and Institutes)
This process applies for all external clients wanting to hold events in any areas such as Anderson Center, Gaines Centers, Fieldhouse, Civitan Track, KR Williams (when online) and Civitan Park (Conferences and Institute’s spaces)
Voting 101: First Steps
The WSSU Anderson Center is an official polling site for in-person voting.
- Confirm your voter registration status.
- Register online to vote for NC residents (October 11 deadline).
- Register to vote out-of-state students.
- If you want to vote by mail rather than in-person, request an NC absentee ballot or a ballot from another state.
- Locate your polling place to vote in-person.
Make Your Plan
You can vote in-person at the WSSU Anderson Center beginning October 15.
Early VotingThe WSSU Anderson Center (1545 Reynolds Park Rd., Winston-Salem, NC 27107) will be open for in-person voting from October 17th to November 2nd, 2024.
More information on early voting sites in Forsyth County.
- Plan to vote early and in-person beginning October 17, 2024.
- Research the candidates.
- Download a sample ballot for your district.
- Print your sample ballot, select your candidates, bring the sheet with you to the polls.
- Get the details about the option of using an absentee ballot to vote by mail.
Know Your Rights
Make sure you know your rights before heading out to vote in-person at your polling place.
- Photo ID requirements and new regulations. (Your WSSU Ram Card will work as your voter identification)
- Know your general rights on Election Day.
- What to do if a poll worker says your name is not on the list of registered voters.
- What to do if a person is interfering with your right to vote.
- Have questions? Call the ACLU Nonpartisan Election Protection Hotline at 888-OUR-VOTE to speak with a nonpartisan elections expert.
Learn about the Option of Voting with an Absentee Ballot
You do not need a specific reason to request to vote via absentee ballot rather than in-person.
- Review these Vote by Mail FAQs.
- If you’d like to vote by mail rather than in-person request an NC absentee ballot or a ballot from another state.
- Use black ink to complete your ballot. (You cannot use blue ink or pencil)
- Complete your absentee ballot in the presence of one witness and insert the ballot into the return envelope. Have your witness complete and sign the witness certification.
- Track your ballot through the mail. Sign up for BallotTrax a free service where NC voters can track the status of their absentee ballot.
Important Dates and Deadlines
Time: 12pm-3pm
Location: DJR 100A, B,C
Objective: This event's purpose is to create an engaging and dynamic on-campus NON-PARTISAN experience that mobilizes voter registration and turnout among HBCU students in North Carolina. By combining informative presentations with interactive activities, music, and refreshments, we aim to educate students on the significance of their vote and to facilitate their participation in the electoral process. This event is designed not only to raise awareness about voter rights and responsibilities but also to foster a sense of community and excitement around civic engagement. By making voter registration a fun and memorable experience, we hope to inspire a higher level of political involvement and ensure that the voices of HBCU students are heard and represented in upcoming elections. Hopefully, this can be an annual event that increases our voter registration numbers on campus.
Location: Hill Hall 05
Objective: In-person Debate watch party for students, this event gathers students as we stream the debate with light refreshments. This event is essential to getting students to participate in the upcoming election and potentially encourage them to vote. This is a non-partisan event.
Location: Kennedy Dinning Hall
Objective: This event's purpose is to create an engaging and dynamic on-campus NON-PARTISAN experience that mobilizes voter registration with a hint of The Caribbean carnival. Within this event Voters Registration table will be set optional for students who would like to register to vote, while all students enjoy Caribbean themed music, decor, and food throughout the Kennedy dining hall. Aramark will change the menu this day to Caribbean themed food!! This event is a collaboration with the WS Chapter of The Links, Inc.
Location: Dillard Auditorium, Anderson Center
Objective: This free event, featuring special guest Marc Morial, President & CEO of the National Urban League, will provide students the opportunity to engage in discussions about the importance of voting, civic engagement, and making a difference in their communities. This is a NON-PARTISAN event.
The Reclaim Your Vote initiative is a non-partisan effort by the National Urban League to increase voter participation among young adults and communities of color. With voter education, outreach, and mobilization, the campaign aims to empower individuals to make their voices heard at the polls.
Time: 9-11 a.m.
Location: Donald Julian Reeves Student Activities Center
Objective: This event is an opportunity to increase voter education awareness and educate about heart disease, and promote heart-healthy lifestyles throughout the communities we serve. The WS Chapter of The Links, Inc. are co-sponsoring this event to motivate our community to take personal civic engagement action to lower or control their risk for heart disease. Participants will receive race paraphernalia, and voter information as well as voting action plan assistance. There will be line dancing instructions, music and more! Refreshments will be provided. Register HERE to participate. This is a NON-PARTISAN event.
The WS Chapter of The Links, Inc., in collaboration with WSSU University Recreation and the SGA Political Action Committee, are hosting this event.
Location: Gaines Gym/MLK Dr./Anderson Center
Objective: Votecoming is a series of HBCU celebrations, throughout North Carolina, which will include pep rallies, party atmospheres, guest speakers, collaborations with athletics and student groups, food, giveaways and more! Votecoming will also help to enhance the excitement that comes with the campus and surrounding community coming together to celebrate and march to the polls! This program will include a pep rally with Athletics, WSSU’s Powerhouse, and the Red Sea of Sound, campus community march to the polls (Anderson Center), collaborative allies: PAC/BVM/Common Cause/NC Black Alliance, and giveaways, food trucks and campus performance team entertainment! These are non-partisan events.
Location: WSSU Anderson Center
Objective: DJs at the Polls was founded on the belief that voting is something to be celebrated. It was expanded on evidence that putting DJs at polls measurably increases voter turnout. This event will also include food trucks and giveaways! This is a non-partisan event.
