Applications for Charlotte mayor are open. You might be able to apply
Charlotte is now accepting applications to be the city’s next mayor.
The application window will run from June 2 through 9 and is open to any Charlotte residents who want to apply, as long as they meet a few requirements.
Applicants must be at least 21 years old, registered to vote in Mecklenburg County, qualified to vote in city elections and registered as a Democrat — the same party as outgoing Mayor Vi Lyles.
The application asks candidates to explain why they want the job, identify the principles they consider most important in shaping policy, detail their experience and indicate whether they intend to run for mayor in 2027. Applicants can apply through an online form or by emailing a completed application to cityclerk@charlottenc.gov.
The City Council will review applications next week, and candidates will move on to in-person interviews June 15 and 16. The council plans to make an appointment during its June 22 business meeting, and the interim mayor will be sworn in on July 1.
Council members have offered varying opinions on whom the ideal candidate might be, but they tend to favor a proven leader with some prominence in the community. The eventual choice likely won’t be a newcomer to Charlotte’s political scene.
Mayor Pro Tem James “Smuggie” Mitchell has already pitched himself for the role, promising to give his colleagues new committee titles and host team bonding events. Former Mayor Jennifer Roberts and former mayoral candidate Brendan Maginnis also expressed interest.
Lyles announced in May that she would not finish her fifth term, which began in December. She will remain in office until the council appoints her successor.
The interim mayor will serve until the end of Lyles’ term in December 2027. Voters will elect the next mayor at that time.
Lyles has not provided a clear reason for her resignation beyond wanting to spend more time with her family.
This story was originally published June 2, 2026 at 11:43 AM.
