A recent Carolina Journal poll found strong support for the concept of intradistrict open enrollment in North Carolina’s K–12 public schools.
The poll surveyed 700 likely 2026 general election voters on a wide range of education-related issues.
More than three-quarters of respondents (78.8 percent) expressed support for intradistrict open enrollment. Such a program allows students to select and transfer to a traditional public school other than their assigned one within their home district. Student transfers are allowed on a first-come, first-served basis, as long as there is capacity at the receiving school.
Just 12.6 percent of respondents opposed the idea, with 8.6 percent unsure.
Support for intradistrict open enrollment drew large majorities (at least 73 percent) in support among every subgroup polled: gender, age, level of education, political party, race, income level, and more. When respondents were grouped according to population density, support was slightly higher among rural voters (82 percent) than urban (79 percent) and suburban voters (76 percent).
Views on open enrollment in K–12 public schools
Intradistrict open enrollment in a K–12 public school allows students enrolled in a public school to select and transfer to a public school of their choice within the child’s school district, rather than their assigned school. Transfers are allowed on a first-come, first-served basis, provided there is space. Do you support or oppose intradistrict open enrollment in public schools?
Source: January 2026 Carolina Journal poll
Past polls have also found strong support for the idea of open enrollment among North Carolina likely voters. A Carolina Journal poll released last year found nearly 72 percent in support.
Respondents to January’s poll were also asked who should bear the responsibility of student transportation when a student attends a public school other than their assigned one. Most respondents (62.3 percent) said it should be the responsibility of the student’s parents, while nearly 1 in 5 respondents (19.7 percent) said that the responsibility should be shared in some fashion.
Views on responsibility for student transportation
If a student attends a public school other than their assigned school, who should be responsible for the student’s transportation?
Source: January 2026 Carolina Journal poll
Respondents were also asked to identify the most important reason for supporting intradistrict open enrollment in public schools. The plurality (30.8 percent) said that it helps students attend the school that best fits their needs, while a significant percentage (21.6 percent) said that it upholds parents’ right to direct the education and upbringing of their children. About 1 in 5 respondents (20.1 percent) stated that intradistrict open enrollment expands access to public schools for families who wouldn’t otherwise have the financial means to move to neighborhoods zoned for their desired schools. Other justifications, such as improving schools through competition, received lower levels of support.
Reasons for supporting intradistrict open enrollment in K–12 public schools
Which is the most important reason for opposing intradistrict open enrollment in public schools? (n = 700)
Source: January 2026 Carolina Journal poll
Finally, the poll asked respondents to identify what they thought was the most important reason for opposing intradistrict open enrollment. The most common objection (24.7 percent) was complicating transportation logistics, but the plurality of respondents (37.4 percent) were unsure.
Reasons for opposing intradistrict open enrollment in K–12 public schools
Which is the most important reason for opposing intradistrict open enrollment in public schools? (n = 700)
Source: January 2026 Carolina Journal poll
The poll results suggest that North Carolinians from all different walks of life support letting students transfer between public schools inside their home district when space allows. Respondents said that doing so would allow students to attend the school that works best for them while upholding parental rights, but some worried about how the policy would affect transportation for districts and families.
It appears North Carolinians would support making a student’s parents responsible for transportation, as is the case in Union County Public Schools. Another possible solution, however, would be for districts and parents to work together to provide transportation, like in Ohio, where districts will transport students using interdistrict open enrollment if parents drop them off along one of the district’s regular bus routes.
