2025 Charlotte Municipal Election

Two of the six seats up for grabs in this year’s Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools board elections are guaranteed to have new faces.

The trial begins for two men accused of murdering Scott Brooks of Brooks Sandwich House. More than 100,000 recipients in Mecklenburg County face losing SNAP benefits due to the federal government shutdown. CMS sets rules on the use of artificial intelligence. And it’s do or die for Charlotte FC in the playoffs after losing on Tuesday.

The Charlotte-Mecklenburg School Board District 1 race has become one to watch, with an incumbent who’s at times ruffled feathers facing both a well-funded challenger and a conservative pushing change.

Early voting is underway in Charlotte’s municipal elections. The only competitive district race on Charlotte City Council is the one in District 6, formerly represented by Tariq Bokhari, who stepped down. Now his wife, Krista, is running as a Republican against Democrat Kimberly Owens. Last week we spent time with Owens. Today, a conversation with Bokhari about why she wants the job.

Mecklenburg voters will decide on a referendum to levy a 1-cent sales tax to fund Charlotte’s transit plan. That tax would generate nearly $20 billion over 30 years for various transit projects. Proponents say the time is now to make this critical decision. Others urge a no vote because of who will be hurt by rising taxes. We look at both sides.

Early voting for the Mecklenburg County primary election is underway. WFAE has created this FAQ to answer questions voters have ahead of Primary Election Day on Tuesday, Sept. 9, and the general election in November.

More than 50 people gathered in Charlotte’s low-income Beatties Ford Road corridor ahead of the upcoming municipal election for a forum that aimed to highlight some of the top concerns and priorities amongst Black residents.

The Charlotte mayor serves a two-year term and presides over City Council meetings. The mayor casts tie-breaking votes and represents the city at events and ceremonies such as MeckDec Day. The incumbent, Vi Lyles, is running for her fifth term. The winner of the Democratic primary will face Republican Terrie Donovan and Libertarian Rob Yates in the general election.

Charlotte voters select four at-large council members. Charlotte registered voter mix is 39% Democrat and 19% Republican. The four winners of the Democratic primary will face two Republicans, Edwin Peacock and Misun Kim, in the general election.

District 1 covers some of uptown and extends east to Plaza Midwood and Noda. Of registered voters in the district, 45% are Democrat and 13% are Republican. The winner of the primary will win the election, as there is no Republican challenger.