Election Day 2025: 6 races we're watching in Charlotte

Election Day 2025: 6 Races to Watch in Charlotte

On Election Day in Charlotte, voters will choose city council and school board representatives and decide the fate of a proposed 1-cent countywide transportation sales tax. The result could reshape the region’s development over the next decades.

Why It Matters

Local elections often see low turnout, yet they heavily influence how tax dollars are allocated and how communities evolve. Tuesday’s vote is expected to have long-term effects on transportation and growth across Mecklenburg County.

How It Works

The Transportation Tax Debate

As Charlotte continues to expand, the need for improved public transit is widely recognized. However, disagreement remains over the proposed 1-cent sales tax plan. Supporters see it as a once-in-a-generation chance to modernize infrastructure, while opponents call it a “regressive” tax that disproportionately affects lower-income residents.

“If the tax passes, it could be the catalyst for major investment.”

Estimates suggest the measure would raise roughly $19.4 billion over 30 years for improvements to roads, bike paths, sidewalks, rail lines, and bus systems. If the referendum fails, officials may reconsider it in a future election cycle.

Key Races to Follow

In addition to the transportation referendum, voters will decide several competitive city council and school board races that could shift policy priorities in housing, education, and infrastructure.

Author’s summary: Charlotte’s Election Day decisions, especially the contentious 1-cent transit tax, could define how the fast-growing city invests in mobility and community infrastructure for decades.

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Axios Axios — 2025-11-04

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