Western Carolina University

Dallas Woodhouse, a former GOP operative hired by state auditor Dave Boliek to assist with elections, resigned after controversies emerged over his involvement in early voting site decisions in Jackson County. County GOP elections board members alleged pressure to reject a Western Carolina University campus polling site, with records showing Woodhouse advised against allowing a vote on the matter. His resignation letter acknowledged potential missteps in advice and communication.

Buncombe County Schools in North Carolina faces a federal Title IX investigation after a parent alleged boys were allowed to use girls' restrooms, potentially violating female students' rights. The U.S. Department of Education cited Title IX's prohibition on sex-based discrimination, now defined as biological sex assigned at birth, and noted similar investigations into Cabarrus County Schools and Western Carolina University.

The article discusses North Carolina Republicans implementing voter suppression tactics, including moving early voting sites away from universities and advancing laws to restrict voting access, targeting young people, poor individuals, and people of color. These actions are part of broader GOP strategies to maintain political control despite declining public support.

North Carolina Democratic leaders Anderson Clayton and Robert Reives are demanding transparency after Jackson County GOP elections board members claimed they faced pressure and threats to oppose a campus early voting site at Western Carolina University. Republican board members Bill Thompson and Jay Pavey alleged they were instructed by Republicans in Raleigh to reject the site, with Pavey stating he was warned of removal if he did not comply. Despite the pressure, Pavey and another Republican supported the campus site, while Thompson opposed it.

A Republican member of the Jackson County Board of Elections, Jay Pavey, faced threats from his party to remove him if he supported a campus early voting site at Western Carolina University. Board Chairman Bill Thompson also reported pressure from the Republican Party to block the university site, citing concerns about neutrality. Despite opposition, Pavey voted for the WCU site, stating he may face consequences for defying party directives.