Election Results 2025: Charlotte city council, school board and transit tax increase

Election Results 2025: Charlotte Approves Transit Sales Tax

Voters in Mecklenburg County have passed a landmark 1-cent sales tax increase expected to raise $19.4 billion over the next 30 years. The funds will support new rail projects, expand the bus network, and improve roads, bike lanes, and pedestrian routes.

Key Details

The measure raises the county’s sales tax from 7.25% to 8.25%.
Funding will begin with the 25-mile Red Line commuter rail linking Uptown Charlotte to the Lake Norman area.
The referendum passed narrowly with 52% of the votes, a margin of 7,535 ballots.

Voter Trends

Election data show that southern, eastern, and northeastern precincts of Mecklenburg County displayed weaker support. Ballantyne's Precinct 140 notably ended in a tie.

Next Steps

A new 27-member regional transit authority will be created to manage spending and project oversight.

Official Reaction

"Tonight, the people of Mecklenburg County have made a historic choice," Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles said. "After years of collaboration, we now have the resources to transform transportation in our region."

Political Impact

The election night also brought significant wins for Democrats, including flipping a long-held Republican seat on the Charlotte City Council. The county’s board of education will now consist entirely of Democratic members.

Author’s Summary

The 2025 Mecklenburg County election marks a turning point for Charlotte's transit future, securing long-term funding and expanding Democratic influence across local government.

Axios — 2025-11-05