Time to vote: Polls in Charlotte now open

The city of Charlotte primary election is TODAY (Tuesday, Sept. 9)

Good morning! Today is Tuesday, September 9, 2025. You’re reading The Charlotte Ledger, an e-newsletter with local business-y news and insights for Charlotte, N.C.

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🇺🇸 Charlotte primary election: Polls are open today until 7:30 p.m.

◼️ City of Charlotte primary elections for City Council and mayor
◼️ Open to all Democrats and unaffiliated voters in Charlotte, plus Republicans in SouthPark area
◼️ Will help determine policies on growth, housing, public safety, taxes

The good news is that if you choose to vote today in Charlotte, you’re unlikely to encounter a long line.

And voting should be quick, too, with only the Charlotte mayor’s race and Charlotte City Council races on the ballot.

➡️ If you want to brush up quickly, check out The Election Hub. (It’s a nonprofit The Ledger is partnering with to provide neutral and easy-to-access information on candidates and voting. It’s 100% ad-free, free to use and hosted on a pleasant website.)

◼️ What’s on the ballot? In this year’s primary, there are five district races, plus a citywide “at-large” race for four council seats, as well as the race for mayor. Incumbents typically win. But some of the more intriguing races could be…

• in east Charlotte, where incumbent Democrat Marjorie Molina is facing a fierce challenge from Juan Diego (J.D.) Mazuera Arias.

  

  Incumbent Marjorie Molina is facing a spirited challenge from Juan Diego (J.D.) Mazuera Arias in the Democratic primary election for an east Charlotte city council seat.

• in west Charlotte, where incumbent Democrat Tiawana Brown, who was indicted in May on federal fraud charges, could be vulnerable against challengers Joi Mayo and Warren Turner. (Brown says she is innocent and is entitled to due process.)

• in south Charlotte, where there is no incumbent running, and Krista Bokhari and Sary Chakra are facing off in the Republican primary.

• in the at-large race, where four Democratic incumbents are facing five challengers.

◼️ What’s at stake? Democrats control the City Council by a 9-2 margin over Republicans, and that makeup is unlikely to change much, if at all. But council members frequently split over questions of growth, transportation, housing, public safety and other issues that can lack clear partisan positions.

◼️ Who can vote? The primary is open to registered Democrats and unaffiliated voters citywide, and to registered Republicans and unaffiliated voters in City Council District 6, which includes the SouthPark area in south Charlotte.

◼️ Hours: Polls at each precinct are open on Election Day (Tuesday, Sept. 9) from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

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➡️ Check your registration, voting location and sample ballot

➡️ For more information, check out the Mecklenburg County Board of Elections site at meckboe.org.

—Tony Mecia

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