Have Mecklenburg voters finally beaten low-turnout blues? What 2026 primary shows
Turnout in Mecklenburg County’s March 3 primary edged higher than the last midterm as several contentious local races and high-profile state races drew voters to the polls.
With all precincts reporting, 127,016 ballots were cast out of 819,366 registered voters, for a turnout of 15.50%, according to Mecklenburg County elections data. That’s slightly higher than the county’s May 2022 midterm primary turnout of 14.07%. It trailed the March 2024 presidential primary, which drew 18.77% turnout, and this year’s statewide turnout. But participation was significantly lower here in earlier midterm cycles, including 11.07% turnout in the 2018 primary.
Municipal election turnout in 2025 was the highest turnout for an odd-numbered election year in at least a decade — 22% — in what could’ve been a sign that Charlotte was waking up from its low turnout voter slumber.
But the county has a history of underperforming statewide turnout numbers, raising questions among Democrats about how results might change if Mecklenburg voters participated at higher rates. And Tuesday’s primary was a continuation of that trend.
While primary elections typically draw fewer voters than general elections, several high-profile races and political controversies helped drive interest in this year’s ballot.
Biggest races and draws
Among the most closely watched contests was the Democratic primary for Mecklenburg County sheriff, where incumbent Garry McFadden faced multiple challengers after months of controversy surrounding his leadership of the sheriff’s office and allegations of corruption and misconduct. McFadden won his race with 34%, according to election data. Though most voters cast votes for other candidates, McFadden benefited from votes against him being split among his three challengers.
At the state level, voters also ousted several longtime Democratic incumbents in Mecklenburg County legislative seats. Rep. Carla Cunningham, a seven-term incumbent representing House District 106, lost by more than 5,000 votes to challenger Rodney Sadler after facing criticism for siding with Republicans to overturn a veto by Gov. Josh Stein and comments about immigrants that drew fierce backlash among some Democrats.
Another competitive race came in Mecklenburg County Commission District 2, where longtime commissioner Vilma Leake, first elected in 2008, lost to Monifa Drayton by roughly 600 votes. With 8,231 votes to Leake’s 7,629, it was the closest county race of the night.
Another longtime legislator, Rep. Nasif Majeed, also lost his primary following backlash over a veto override vote.
At the top of the ballot, voters also selected nominees in the closely watched U.S. Senate race, where Democrat Roy Cooper and Republican Michael Whatley advanced to face each other in November to replace retiring Sen. Thom Tillis.
Strong early voting helped drive participation this year.
Across North Carolina, early voting in the primary was higher than in the 2024 presidential primary period, fueled largely by Democratic voters, according to state election data and reporting from NC Newsline. People appeared particularly eager to cast Democratic ballots Tuesday, with more votes for Cooper than all Republicans combined in the Senate race.
Dan McCorkle, a longtime Mecklenburg Democratic strategist and campaign manager, said he expects to see around a 50% turnout in November, mirroring 2018’s numbers. A lot of that enthusiasm, he said, will likely come from Democrats.
“Democrats are much more enthusiastic and motivated and likely to vote in November, and we’re seeing that all across the country,” McCorkle said. “Democrats are united with a common cause right now.”
What brought voters out
Local election officials and precinct leaders said lighter Election Day crowds may have reflected that shift toward early voting.
At the Lake Wylie Elementary precinct Tuesday morning, voter Zach Zubow said he came out early because he wanted to make sure candidates he supported advanced to the general election.
“I listened to (county Sheriff) Garry McFadden talk about the ICE raids in Charlotte,” Zubow said. “I thought he seemed like he was communicating with everybody he needed to at that time.”
Other voters said participation was simply a civic duty.
“If you don’t vote, you don’t have a voice,” said Wanda Abraham, a Charlotte resident of 65 years who said she has voted in every election since turning 18.
Outstanding ballots
The Mecklenburg County Board of Elections still must review provisional ballots cast by voters whose eligibility required additional verification on Friday. According to Michael Dickerson, Mecklenburg elections director, the county has 459 provisional ballots – not enough to change the outcome of any local race.
Dickerson also said that at this point there are no expected recounts in the county.
This story was originally published March 4, 2026 at 12:28 PM.
