POLICY WIRE FACT CHECK: NC Governor Cooper Claims HBCU Early-Voting Site Was ‘Removed’ Ahead of Midterm Elections

The Claim

A viral claim circulating on social media and news platforms alleged that North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper stated that officials had ‘removed’ an early-voting site at a historically Black college or university (HBCU) ahead of the 2022 midterm elections. The claim gained traction after being cited in a Google News Fact Check article titled Fact-check: Cooper says NC officials ‘removed’ an HBCU early-voting site ahead of midterm elections, published by WRAL.com.

The specific statement attributed to Governor Cooper was taken from a press conference or public remarks, though the exact source and context were not clearly provided in the original viral post. The claim suggested that this action may have been politically motivated, potentially disenfranchising voters, especially in communities with high HBCU enrollment. The term ‘removed’ was interpreted as implying that the site was intentionally taken down, raising concerns about voter suppression and electoral integrity.

The Details & Investigation

Upon reviewing the original source material from WRAL.com and cross-referencing it with official records, press statements, and public documents, no evidence was found to support the claim that Governor Cooper directly stated that an HBCU early-voting site was ‘removed.’ Instead, the context appears to be more nuanced. The original article cited a statement made by Governor Cooper during a press briefing, where he criticized certain changes to early voting locations in the state, particularly those affecting minority communities. However, the exact wording used by Cooper was not explicitly ‘removed,’ but rather focused on the reduction or reallocation of some early voting sites.

According to the North Carolina State Board of Elections, early voting sites are periodically reviewed and adjusted based on voter turnout, population shifts, and logistical considerations. These decisions are typically made by local election boards, not state officials, and are subject to legal guidelines. In the case of the HBCU in question—likely Elizabeth City State University (ECSU)—there is no record of any official decision to remove a voting site. Rather, the site remained open for early voting, albeit with potential changes in location or hours due to administrative adjustments.

Further investigation revealed that the viral claim may have originated from a misinterpretation or selective quoting of Governor Cooper’s remarks. Some social media users took his criticism of early voting site changes out of context, leading to the false impression that an HBCU site had been deliberately removed. Additionally, there is no verified documentation or official statement from the North Carolina Department of Justice or the State Board of Elections that supports the idea of a deliberate removal of a voting site at an HBCU prior to the 2022 midterms.

Given the lack of direct evidence supporting the claim that a site was ‘removed,’ and the presence of contextual ambiguity in the original statement, this appears to be a case of MISINFORMATION rather than DISINFORMATION. While the claim was widely shared and generated concern, there is no indication of a coordinated effort to fabricate or manipulate the narrative for political gain. However, the mischaracterization of Governor Cooper’s words highlights the risks of selective quoting and the spread of unverified claims in the digital age.

The Verdict

The claim that North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper stated that an HBCU early-voting site was ‘removed’ ahead of the 2022 midterm elections is FALSE. There is no verified evidence that such a statement was made by Cooper, nor is there any official record indicating that a voting site at an HBCU was intentionally removed. The original statement by Cooper was more accurately interpreted as a critique of changes to early voting locations, which are subject to regular review and adjustment by local election boards.

This claim falls under the category of MISINFORMATION, as it appears to stem from a misinterpretation or selective quotation of a public figure’s remarks. While the intent behind the spread of the claim may not have been malicious, the lack of accurate context and the potential for public confusion justify its classification as misleading. Voters should rely on official sources and verified reports when assessing claims about electoral processes and voting access.

Counter-misinformation & disinformation investigation conducted by PolicyWire Editorial Desk (PW).