Early voting’s over, but you can still cast a ballot in person
Early voting ended Saturday in Mecklenburg County and North Carolina, and it’s too late to get an absentee ballot. But registered voters still have a chance to cast a ballot in primary races.
Eligible voters — 788,112 are registered in Mecklenburg as of May 7 — can head to polling sites beginning at 6:30 a.m. Tuesday, May 17. Polling places will be open until 7:30 p.m.
Voters in Charlotte-Mecklenburg will have their say in 24 local races, including primaries for two U.S. House seats, Charlotte mayor and City Council, county commission, sheriff and district attorney.
To learn more about individual races, check out CharlotteObserver.com/voter-guide.
Baby formula shortage hits CLT
Families and caregivers in the Charlotte area are feeling the brunt of a nationwide baby formula shortage.
The metro region is one of 12 in the U.S. with an out-of-stock rate of more than 40% in early April, according to a study by Datasembly. Last week, The Charlotte Observer’s Mary Ramsey found that some local stores had limited availability.
Ongoing supply disruptions and a recent safety recall are mostly to blame for the tight supply, The Associated Press reported.
What can families do? Among the recommendations are:
▪ Check store websites and apps to see what’s available.
▪ Talk to your pediatrician about food banks, local agencies and other charitable organizations
▪ Don’t water down formula you have, and avoid recipes for homemade formula that have been making the rounds on social media.
City, county government
Charlotte City Council: As of Friday afternoon, no council meeting had been scheduled for this week due to elections.
Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners: The board will meet at 5 p.m. Tuesday. An agenda was not available on Friday afternoon. The meeting can be watched on the Government Channel or online at watch.mecknc.gov.
From CharlotteFive
▪ If you’re a musician looking to find your spotlight, head to The Evening Muse for “Find Your Muse Open MIC Night,” featuring Ash & Eric. $5. Purchase tickets on Eventbrite. 7-11:30 p.m. Monday. 3227 N. Davidson St. https://bit.ly/3ynb3Lo
▪ Watch drag performances, play video games, drink craft beers and more at Devil’s Logic Brewing during CGN After Dark, an event from the LGBTQIA+ community gaming organization, Charlotte Gaymers Network. Free. Register online. 7-10 p.m. Tuesday. 1426 E. 4th St. https://bit.ly/3KUz8fl
▪ Join the Panthers’ TopCats and Kenna Kunijo on Thursday for a pop-up dance class for high schoolers on up at the Atrium Health Dome to benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. $30 donation requested. Registration from 5:30-6:15 p.m.; class from 6:15-8 p.m. Sign up online (donation required to secure your spot). Carolina Panthers Practice Field, 325 S. Cedar St. https://bit.ly/3sqtWcA
Charlotte sports
▪ Charlotte FC welcomes the Vancouver Whitecaps to Bank of America Stadium for a 5 p.m. match next Sunday. First 10,000 fans in attendance with receive a jersey rally towel.
▪ The Charlotte Knights continue their two-week homestand with a six-game series against the Norfolk Tides at Truist Field. This week’s promos include Bark in the Park, fireworks and Princess Day.
▪ The Charlotte Checkers entered the weekend locked in an AHL playoff series against the Bridgeport Islanders. Should Games 4 and 5 in the series be needed, they’ll be played at Bojangles Coliseum on Monday and Wednesday.
Don’t miss
▪ The Broadway musical “Waitress” wraps up its five-week run at the Booth Playhouse at Blumenthal Performing Arts Center this week.
Compiled by Rogelio Aranda
This story was originally published May 15, 2022 at 6:00 AM.