Key Dates — Charlotte 2025 (Elections, Deadlines & Civic To-Dos)
We keep the dates. You do the democracy. Welcome to Poll Dance 2025—our mildly snarky guide to when things actually happen in Charlotte this year.
Quick links: Home · News · Politics · Special coverage: Poll Dance 2025 →
Last updated: Sept. 2, 2025
Election Timeline (City of Charlotte)
Primary Election — Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2025
- Polls open: 6:30 a.m. – 7:30 p.m. (If you’re in line by 7:30, you vote.)
- Early voting window: Thu, Aug. 21 → Sat, Sept. 6 (closes 3 p.m.). Multiple sites countywide; hours vary by day.
- Absentee by mail:
- Ballots began mailing Fri, Aug. 8.
- Request deadline: Tue, Aug. 26 at 5:00 p.m.
- Return deadline: Tue, Sept. 9 by 7:30 p.m. (received, not postmarked).
Need the official scoop (sites, hours, forms)? Check the county Board of Elections and the state’s Upcoming Elections page.
General Election — Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025
- Early voting window: Thu, Oct. 16 → Sat, Nov. 1 (closes 3 p.m.). County sites & hours posted by election offices.
Must-Know Rules (Short, useful, and yes, you need ID)
- Photo ID required for in-person voting. If you don’t have one, the county BOE issues free voter ID cards during early voting.
- Same-day registration is available only during early voting (bring proof of residence).
- Absentee by mail: Any registered voter may request a ballot if your municipality permits it—follow the state’s step-by-step guide.
What’s on the Ballot (and why you’ll hear about “the penny”)
- City offices: Mayor, At-Large & District council seats.
Meet the field: our At-Large guide and District-by-District profiles. - Transportation Sales-Tax Referendum (1¢): County commissioners placed a 1-cent transportation tax on the Nov. 4 ballot under the new law. Our explainers below tell you where the money goes and who controls it.
Deep dives from The Mercury:
- Ballot language and county vote: Mecklenburg Approves November Vote on 1-Cent Transit Sales Tax Worth $25 Billion
- Line-by-line money & projects: Mecklenburg’s 1% Transportation Sales Tax: Full Breakdown of Costs, Projects, and Control
- Candidate positions & forums hub: Poll Dance 2025
Add-to-Calendar Cheat Sheet
- Thu, Aug. 21 — Early voting opens for the Sept. 9 primary.
- Sat, Sept. 6 (3 p.m.) — Early voting closes for the primary.
- Tue, Sept. 9 — Primary Day (polls 6:30–7:30).
- Thu, Oct. 16 — Early voting opens for the Nov. 4 general.
- Sat, Nov. 1 (3 p.m.) — Early voting closes for the general.
- Tue, Nov. 4 — General Election (includes the 1-cent transportation tax).
First-Timer? Start Here.
- How to vote (fast): Bring a photo ID. If you need to register or fix your address, do it during early voting (same-day). If life happens, request an absentee ballot and return it well before the deadline.
- Find your site: Use the county’s Early Voting map and Election Day lookup.
- Want everything in one place? Bookmark the state’s Upcoming Election page.
Related Coverage on The Charlotte Mercury
- Guides:
- The Charlotte Mercury’s Complete 2025 Mayoral Voting Guide
- 2025 Charlotte City Council At-Large Candidates: Full Field Breakdown
- Why Democrats Routinely Win Charlotte’s At-Large Council Seats — And Republicans Don’t
- Transit & Tax:
- Charlotte’s 1% Transit Tax: What It Does, What It Costs, Who Runs It and Where City Council Candidates Stand
- The Penny That Could Redraw Mecklenburg
- Meetings & Zoning:
- Charlotte Council Clashes Over Growth, Trust, and Traffic at Aug. 18 Zoning Meeting
- When Neighbors Push Back: Far East Charlotte Residents Challenge Dense Townhome Plan
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