Charlotte, October 17, 2025

News Summary

In-person early voting for municipal elections has begun in North Carolina, with strong turnout expected leading up to Election Day on November 4. Key races include mayoral elections in Charlotte, Greensboro, and Durham, along with a sales tax referendum in Mecklenburg County. Officials encourage voters to present valid photo IDs and be patient during the process, as a significant number of voters are registered this year. Early voting continues with new locations set to open soon, providing residents with ample opportunity to participate.

Charlotte

In-person early voting for the municipal elections has officially started across North Carolina, with ongoing expectations for strong voter turnout ahead of Election Day on November 4. Election officials nationwide are hopeful that residents will participate vigorously in this off-year election despite it not being a presidential election year.

Key races this election cycle include mayoral elections in several cities, notably Charlotte, Greensboro, and Durham. Additionally, voters in Mecklenburg County will have a chance to decide on a one-cent sales tax referendum, as well as participate in school board elections.

Michael Dickerson, director of the Mecklenburg County Board of Elections, has urged voters to come prepared with a valid photo ID and to be patient, as high participation is expected. More than 7.5 million people are now registered to vote statewide in North Carolina, and Mecklenburg County alone has over 810,000 registered voters. Approximately 2,000 to 3,000 poll workers are set to assist during this election.

Currently, the only open early voting site in Mecklenburg County is the Hal Marshall Center, which will serve voters until next Thursday. Starting on October 23, 21 early voting locations will become available across the county. Polling places will be open on Election Day from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., and voters who are in line by 7:30 p.m. on that day will still be permitted to cast their vote.

Voters are required to present a valid photo ID when voting in person, with a few exceptions that apply under certain circumstances. During the early voting period, same-day registration will be available for those who have not registered yet. Voters can easily check their registration status and review details about local races using North Carolina’s “Voter Search” tool.

In a 2025 survey, nearly 52% of local election officials expressed concerns regarding safety threats to polling staff. Poll workers, such as Vanessa Ramseur, are integral to ensuring a smooth voting process. Ramseur, although retired, continues to support the election process each year to assist voters.

For those who wish to vote absentee, the deadline to request an absentee ballot is October 21. All absentee ballots must be received by 7:30 p.m. on Election Day. Voters can track their absentee ballot status online once they have submitted their requests, making the voting experience more transparent and accessible.

Key Information

• Early voting in North Carolina started on October 14
• Election Day is set for November 4
• Voters in Mecklenburg can only access the Hal Marshall Center until October 23
• Voters need a valid photo ID to vote in person
• Same-day registration available during early voting
• Polling hours on Election Day: 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
• Absentee ballot request deadline: October 21

Voting Locations

The following key details sum up voting locations in Mecklenburg County:

• Current early voting site: Hal Marshall Center
• New early voting sites (21 locations) open on October 23

Safety Measures

Concerns regarding safety threats to polling staff have been noted by local election officials. The presence of poll workers is crucial for maintaining a secure and organized voting environment.

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Surge in Voter Participation with Expanded Early Voting in Charlotte

Additional Resources

• Spectrum Local News
• Wikipedia: Early Voting
• WCNC
• Google Search: North Carolina elections
• WBTV
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Voting
• WSOC TV
• Google News: North Carolina early voting
• Charlotte Ledger

Author: HERE Charlotte

The CHARLOTTE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERECharlotte.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Lovin' Life Music Festival, Charlotte Pride festival, and major sporting tournaments at Bank of America Stadium. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance and Foundation for the Carolinas, plus leading businesses in finance and entertainment that power the local economy such as Bank of America and NASCAR. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAsheville.com, HEREGreensboro.com, HERERaleigh.com, and HEREOBX.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into North Carolina's dynamic landscape.