📋 Archive Notice (final — locked May 21, 2026): This page covers the 2025 Charlotte municipal election, which has concluded. It is preserved as a historical record and will not be updated. For current coverage, visit our 2026 Election page or the City Council hub.
2025 Charlotte Election Early Voting Guide: Dates, Locations & Candidates
By the Charlotte Mercury research team – October 15, 2025
Election overview
On Nov. 4, 2025, voters across Mecklenburg County will pick the mayor of Charlotte, four at-large council members, seven district council members and other municipal and school-board offices. Early voting—also called one-stop absentee voting—lets you cast your ballot before Election Day at any Mecklenburg County early-voting site. This page explains how early voting works, lists key dates, and provides the candidate roster for the City of Charlotte races.
Why this matters
Voting early helps avoid Election Day lines and gives voters flexibility. Mecklenburg County voters can register, update their address and vote at the same time during the early-voting period. It's also the only time when you can vote at any one-stop site in the county rather than your assigned precinct.
Key dates
Last day to register ahead of the election: Oct. 10 (5 p.m.) – after this date, you must register at a one-stop site during early voting.
Early voting period: Oct. 16 – Nov. 1. The Hal Marshall Center opens first, and all other sites open on Oct. 23 (see full schedule below).
Absentee-ballot request deadline: Oct. 21 (5 p.m.).
Election Day: Nov. 4, with polls open 6:30 a.m.–7:30 p.m. Absentee ballots must be received by 7:30 p.m.
How early voting works
Any site, any voter: During early voting, any registered Mecklenburg County voter can cast a ballot at any early-voting location, regardless of where they live.
Same-day registration: Unregistered residents can register and vote in one trip. Bring proof of residence—such as a NC driver's license with your current address, a government-issued photo ID, a utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, or a housing document from a college—to register.
Photo ID required: North Carolina voters must present an acceptable photo ID when voting. Acceptable IDs include a NC driver's license, state ID from the DMV, U.S. passport, county-issued voter ID card or approved student/local government ID. Voters age 65+ may use an expired ID that was valid on their 65th birthday. Voters without a photo ID can still vote by filling out an ID-Exception Form and casting a provisional ballot.
Absentee ballots: If you receive an absentee ballot by mail, you can return it to the county board or drop it off with an election official at any early-voting site during operating hours. Absentee ballots must be received by 7:30 p.m. on Election Day.
Accessibility: All sites provide accessible voting equipment and curbside voting for voters with disabilities. The statewide accessibility hotline is (866) 522-4723.
Early-voting locations and schedule
There are 21 early-voting locations. The Hal Marshall Center (618 N. College St., Charlotte) opens first, with operating hours 8 a.m.–5 p.m. Oct. 16–22. All other sites open on Oct. 23 and share the same daily hours. You may vote at any location regardless of where you live in Mecklenburg County.
| # | Site | Address | Town |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hal Marshall Center | 618 N. College St. | Charlotte |
| 2 | Allegra Westbrooks Regional Library | 2412 Beatties Ford Rd. | Charlotte |
| 3 | Cornelius Town Hall | 21445 Catawba Ave. | Cornelius |
| 4 | Davidson Town Hall | 251 South St. | Davidson |
| 5 | Elon Park Recreation Center | 11401 Ardrey Kell Rd. | Charlotte |
| 6 | Eastway Regional Recreation Center | 3150 Eastway Park Dr. | Charlotte |
| 7 | Independence Regional Library | 6000 Conference Dr. | Charlotte |
| 8 | Mallard Creek Recreation Center | 2530 Johnston Oehler Rd. | Charlotte |
| 9 | Matthews Library | 230 Matthews Station St. | Matthews |
| 10 | Marion Diehl Recreation Center | 2219 Tyvola Rd. | Charlotte |
| 11 | Mint Hill Library | 6840 Matthews-Mint Hill Rd. | Mint Hill |
| 12 | North County Regional Library | 16500 Holly Crest Ln. | Huntersville |
| 13 | Pineville Library | 505 Main St. | Pineville |
| 14 | Steele Creek Masonic Lodge | 13611 Steele Creek Rd. | Charlotte |
| 15 | South County Regional Library | 5801 Rea Rd. | Charlotte |
| 16 | SouthPark Regional Library | 7015 Carnegie Blvd. | Charlotte |
| 17 | The Bradshaw Center at Hillcrest | 8501 Bellhaven Blvd. | Charlotte |
| 18 | University City Library | 5528 Waters Edge Village Dr. | Charlotte |
| 19 | Charlotte Convention Center | 501 S. College St. | Charlotte |
| 20 | David B. Waymer Recreation Center | 14008 Holbrooks Rd. | Huntersville |
| 21 | West Boulevard Library | 2157 West Blvd. | Charlotte |
Operating hours
| Date | Hours | Sites open |
|---|---|---|
| Oct. 16 (Thu) | 8 a.m.–5 p.m. | Hal Marshall Center only |
| Oct. 17 (Fri) | 8 a.m.–5 p.m. | Hal Marshall Center only |
| Oct. 20 (Mon) | 8 a.m.–5 p.m. | Hal Marshall Center only |
| Oct. 21 (Tue) | 8 a.m.–5 p.m. | Hal Marshall Center only |
| Oct. 22 (Wed) | 8 a.m.–5 p.m. | Hal Marshall Center only |
| Oct. 23 (Thu) | 8 a.m.–7:30 p.m. | All 21 locations |
| Oct. 24 (Fri) | 8 a.m.–7:30 p.m. | All 21 locations |
| Oct. 25 (Sat) | 8 a.m.–3 p.m. | All 21 locations |
| Oct. 26 (Sun) | 1 p.m.–5 p.m. | All 21 locations |
| Oct. 27 (Mon) | 8 a.m.–7:30 p.m. | All 21 locations |
| Oct. 28 (Tue) | 8 a.m.–7:30 p.m. | All 21 locations |
| Oct. 29 (Wed) | 8 a.m.–7:30 p.m. | All 21 locations |
| Oct. 30 (Thu) | 8 a.m.–7:30 p.m. | All 21 locations |
| Oct. 31 (Fri) | 8 a.m.–7:30 p.m. | All 21 locations |
| Nov. 1 (Sat) | 8 a.m.–3 p.m. | All 21 locations |
Note: Early-voting sites are closed Sundays except Oct. 26, and all sites close promptly at 3 p.m. on Nov. 1.
Candidate roster: City of Charlotte races
The information below comes from the North Carolina State Board of Elections' official candidate list (filed as of July 2025). Each entry lists the candidate's legal name, how the name will appear on the ballot, filing date, address and party affiliation. Addresses are included because they are part of the public record; they show the candidate's residency but do not affect where you must vote.
Mayor (vote for 1)
| Candidate | Name on ballot | Filing date | Address | Party |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Terrie Davis Donovan | Terrie D. Donovan | Jul 18, 2025 | 2810 Selwyn Ave #122, Charlotte, NC 28209 | Republican |
| Viola Alexander Lyles | Vi Lyles | Jul 16, 2025 | 6018 South Regal Ln, Charlotte, NC 28210 | Democratic |
| Robert Thomas Yates Jr. | Rob Yates | Jul 17, 2025 | 2419 Radrick Ln, Charlotte, NC 28262 | Libertarian |
City Council at-large (vote for 4)
| Candidate | Name on ballot | Filing date | Address | Party |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dimple Tansen Ajmera | Dimple Ajmera | Jul 11, 2025 | 6528 Matlea Ct, Charlotte, NC 28215 | Democratic |
| Misun Kim | Misun Kim | Jul 11, 2025 | 5003 Sharon Rd Q, Charlotte, NC 28210 | Republican |
| James Edward Mitchell Jr. | James (Smuggie) Mitchell Jr. | Jul 17, 2025 | 7803 Wiltshire Ridge Rd, Charlotte, NC 28269 | Democratic |
| Edwin Bruton Peacock III | Edwin B. Peacock III | Jul 17, 2025 | 427 Hermitage Ct, Charlotte, NC 28207 | Republican |
| Clara LaWana Slack-Mayfield | LaWana Slack-Mayfield | Jul 18, 2025 | 10227 Holly Park Dr, Charlotte, NC 28214 | Democratic |
| Victoria Gayle Watlington | Victoria Watlington | Jul 16, 2025 | 1324 Bethel Rd, Charlotte, NC 28208 | Democratic |
Council District 1 (vote for 1)
| Candidate | Name on ballot | Filing date | Address | Party |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dante Anderson | Dante Anderson | Jul 15, 2025 | 3015 Park Rd, Charlotte, NC 28209 | Democratic |
Council District 2 (vote for 1)
| Candidate | Name on ballot | Filing date | Address | Party |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Malcolm R. Graham | Malcolm Graham | Jul 17, 2025 | 3404 Cresta Ct, Charlotte, NC 28269 | Democratic |
Council District 3 (vote for 1)
| Candidate | Name on ballot | Filing date | Address | Party |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| James Harrison Bowers | James H. Bowers | Jul 10, 2025 | 4925 Courtney Ridge Ln #511, Charlotte, NC 28217 | Republican |
| Robin Lisa Emmons | Robin Emmons | Sep 19, 2025 | 2200 Toddville Rd, Charlotte, NC 28214 | Unaffiliated |
| Joi Ashley Dora Mayo | Joi Mayo | Jul 9, 2025 | 409 Goldstaff Ln, Charlotte, NC 28273 | Democratic |
Council District 4 (vote for 1)
| Candidate | Name on ballot | Filing date | Address | Party |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Renee Perkins Johnson | Renee Perkins Johnson | Jul 8, 2025 | 9416 Fairmead Dr, Charlotte, NC 28269 | Democratic |
Council District 5 (vote for 1)
| Candidate | Name on ballot | Filing date | Address | Party |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Juan Diego Mazuera Arias | Juan Diego (J.D.) Mazuera Arias | Jul 17, 2025 | 2109 Zephyr Wind Way, Charlotte, NC 28212 | Democratic |
Council District 6 (vote for 1)
| Candidate | Name on ballot | Filing date | Address | Party |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Krista Keith Bokhari | Krista Bokhari | Jul 14, 2025 | 3320 Sharon Rd, Charlotte, NC 28211 | Republican |
| Kimberly Sipes Owens | Kimberly Owens | Jul 7, 2025 | 4222 Pepperidge Dr, Charlotte, NC 28226 | Democratic |
Council District 7 (vote for 1)
| Candidate | Name on ballot | Filing date | Address | Party |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Edmund Hope Driggs | Ed Driggs | Jul 7, 2025 | 4901 Old Course Dr, Charlotte, NC 28277 | Republican |
Tips for voting on opening day (Oct. 16)
Check your registration: Use the NC Voter Search tool to verify your registration status and view your sample ballot when available.
Bring photo ID: Carry an acceptable ID so you don't have to complete an exception form.
Know your ballot: Early ballots include Charlotte mayor, at-large council seats, and district races. Some towns have uncontested seats or no municipal election, so your sample ballot may differ.
Go off-peak: If your schedule allows, midday hours (mid-morning and mid-afternoon) often have shorter lines.
Bring patience and courtesy: Poll workers are volunteers and rules must be followed. A smile helps everyone.
Further resources
Voter Search – check your registration and sample ballot: https://www.ncvoter.org
NC Absentee Ballot Portal – request or track an absentee ballot: https://votebymail.ncsbe.gov.
Early voting site search – find locations and wait times: https://vt.ncsbe.gov/ossite/.
Mecklenburg County Board of Elections – 741 Kenilworth Ave., Suite 202, Charlotte, NC 28204; phone 704-336-2133; email Vote@MeckNC.gov; hours Mon–Fri 8 a.m.–5 p.m.
NC State Board of Elections – call (919) 814-0700 for general questions or (866) 522-4723 for accessible voting assistance.
Closing thought
Early voting began Oct. 16, 2025. This guide is preserved as a record of the 2025 municipal election.