Voting started for 2025 Mecklenburg elections. Here’s what you need to know
Election season is kicking into gear across the Charlotte area, with voters starting to head to the polls to decide the fates of high-profile races.
Much of the attention is focused on a ballot referendum asking voters to approve or deny a 1% countywide sales tax increase to fund an overhaul of the region’s transportation system. There are also competitive mayoral races throughout Mecklenburg County and fights for seats on the Charlotte City Council, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education and town boards.
Early voting began Thursday and runs through Nov. 1. Election Day is Nov. 4.
Here’s what to know about voting in the 2025 general election in Mecklenburg County:
What’s on the November ballot?
The transportation referendum will be on every Mecklenburg County ballot.
In Charlotte, Democratic Mayor Vi Lyles is running against a Republican and a Libertarian as she seeks a fifth term leading the city.
Voters will pick four at-large City Council members from a slate that includes four Democratic incumbents and two Republican challengers. There are just two competitive City Council district races in November: the battle between Krista Bokhari and Kimberly Owens in south Charlotte’s District 6 and a three-person match-up between a Democrat, Republican and unaffiliated candidate in west Charlotte’s District 3.
Multiple seats on the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools board are up for grabs this election cycle.
There are also mayor and town board elections in municipalities throughout the county.
How to find your sample ballot
Exactly what races will appear on your ballot depends on where you live in Mecklenburg County.
To find your specific sample ballot, search by your address on the county Board of Elections website or by your name on the State Board of Elections website.
What to know about NC voter registration
Registered voters can check their voter registration online at vt.ncsbe.gov/RegLkup.
Existing voters who need to update their registration should visit vote.mecknc.gov/Information-for-Voters/Update-Address.
The voter registration deadline in North Carolina is 25 days before an election. But residents can register or update their registration in-person and vote on the same day during early voting.
What to know about NC voter ID requirements
North Carolina voters will be asked to show a photo ID at the polls.
Accepted photo IDs — if unexpired or expired for one year or less — include:
- North Carolina driver’s license
- State ID from the NCDMV, also called “non-operator ID”
- Driver’s license or non-driver ID from another state, the District of Columbia, or a U.S. territory if the voter registered in North Carolina within 90 days of the election
- U.S. Passport or U.S. Passport card
- Free North Carolina voter photo ID card issued by a county board of elections
- Some college or university student IDs
- Some state or local government or charter school employee IDs
- Military or veterans ID card with photo issued by the U.S. government
- Tribal enrollment card with photo issued by a tribe recognized by the State of North Carolina or the federal government
- ID card with photo issued by an agency of the U.S. government or the State of North Carolina for a public assistance program
Any voter can get a free photo ID from their county board of elections if they provide their name, date of birth and the last four digits of their Social Security number.
If a voter cannot show an acceptable photo ID when voting in person, they will still be allowed to vote by filling out an ID Exception Form.
Mecklenburg County early voting details
Early voting opened Thursday at the Hal Marshall Annex, 618 N. College St.
And 20 additional sites will open across the county Oct. 23:
- Allegra Westbrooks Regional Library, 2412 Beatties Ford Road
- Cornelius Town Hall, 21445 Catawba Ave.
- Davidson Town Hall, 251 South St.
- Elon Recreation Center, 11401 Ardrey Kell Road
- Eastway Regional Recreation Center, 3150 Eastway Park Dr.
- Independence Regional Library, 6000 Conference Dr.
- Mallard Creek Recreation Center, 2530 Johnston Oehler Road
- Matthews Library, 230 Matthews Station St.
- Marion Diehl Recreation Center, 2219 Tyvola Road
- Mint Hill Library, 6840 Matthews-Mint Hill Road
- North County Regional Library, 16500 Holly Crest Lane
- Pineville Library, 505 Main St. #100
- Steele Creek Masonic Lodge, 13611 Steele Creek Road
- South County Regional Library, 5801 Rea Road
- SouthPark Regional Library, 7015 Carnegie Blvd.
- The Bradshaw Center at Hillcrest, 8501 Bellhaven Blvd.
- University City Library, 5528 Waters Edge Village Dr.
- Charlotte Convention Center, 501 S College St.
- David B. Waymer Recreation & Senior Center, 14008 Holbrooks Road
- West Boulevard Library, 2157 West Blvd.
The Hal Marshall site will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 16-17 and 20-22. All 21 sites will be open from 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. weekdays from Oct. 23-31. They’ll be open from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 25, 1-5 p.m. Oct. 26 and 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 1.
How to request an absentee ballot
All North Carolina voters can request an absentee ballot to vote by mail. The deadline to request an absentee ballot is 5 p.m. the second Tuesday before Election Day.
To request an absentee ballot, visit votebymail.ncsbe.gov/app/home. Service members, their families and other eligible voters living overseas can request an absentee ballot through the same portal.
How to find your polling place
Voters must vote at their designated polling place if they vote on Election Day.
You can look up your polling location through the county Board of Elections website at apps.meckboe.org/addressSearch_New.aspx or the State Board of Elections website at vt.ncsbe.gov/RegLkup/.
