Politics

About 14% of Mecklenburg County's registered voters cast ballots in the May 17 primary. That was slightly better than expected for the off-year primary.

The South has had immense influence on the nation, author Frye Gaillard writes. And it hasn't always been for the better. Charlotte Talks producer, Jesse Steinmetz, sits down with Gaillard to discuss his new book, "The Southernization of America: A Story of Democracy in the Balance."

From the the Capitol insurrection to Russia’s unprovoked assault on a sovereign nation, democracy around the world is struggling. But one author believes a solution can be found in redefining patriotism. We speak with Yascha Mounk on how democratic ideals can survive the global rise of autocracy.

Early voting kicks off this week in the North Carolina primaries. Starting Thursday, April 28, voters can begin casting early ballots at a variety of early voting locations.

First, Justice Stephen Breyer has announced his retirement; what that means for the Supreme Court. Then, Senate Republicans recently blocked new voting rights legislation, and two Democratic senators then prevented changes to the filibuster in order to pass those bills specifically. We discuss the complex relationship between voting rights and the filibuster, and what they mean for the future of politics nationwide.

From the insurrection on Jan. 6 to a rise in political violence, many experts consider this a moment of crisis for American democracy. But one historian argues the country has faced similar challenges before, and those lessons can shed light on how to build a stronger, more vibrant democracy than ever before.

Mayors from 24 cities across the Southeast are calling on Congress to adopt national clean energy standards. In a letter to Congress and the White House this week, the mayors say their goal is to speed the transition to renewable energy and electric vehicles, and to create jobs.

Republicans need to gain just five seats in next year's midterm elections to take control of the U.S. House. It's New York Congressman Sean Patrick Maloney's job to make sure that doesn't happen.

North Carolina election dates for 2022 likely won't be altered despite anticipated delays in receiving data needed to perform the once-a-decade redistricting, the General Assembly's top Republicans said on Thursday.

North Carolina's state elections director has recommended postponing this fall's municipal elections to 2022 because of an expected delay in redistricting due to late census data. This week, town commissioners in Huntersville said a loud "no thank you."