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2025 Charlotte Election Early Voting Guide: Dates, Locations & Candidates

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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.

#SiteAddressTown1Hal Marshall Center618 N. College St.Charlotte2Allegra Westbrooks Regional Library2412 Beatties Ford Rd.Charlotte3Cornelius Town Hall21445 Catawba Ave.Cornelius4Davidson Town Hall251 South St.Davidson5Elon Park Recreation Center11401 Ardrey Kell Rd.Charlotte6Eastway Regional Recreation Center3150 Eastway Park Dr.Charlotte7Independence Regional Library6000 Conference Dr.Charlotte8Mallard Creek Recreation Center2530 Johnston Oehler Rd.Charlotte9Matthews Library230 Matthews Station St.Matthews10Marion Diehl Recreation Center2219 Tyvola Rd.Charlotte11Mint Hill Library6840 Matthews‑Mint Hill Rd.Mint Hill12North County Regional Library16500 Holly Crest Ln.Huntersville13Pineville Library505 Main St.Pineville14Steele Creek Masonic Lodge13611 Steele Creek Rd.Charlotte15South County Regional Library5801 Rea Rd.Charlotte16SouthPark Regional Library7015 Carnegie Blvd.Charlotte17The Bradshaw Center at Hillcrest8501 Bellhaven Blvd.Charlotte18University City Library5528 Waters Edge Village Dr.Charlotte19Charlotte Convention Center501 S. College St.Charlotte20David B. Waymer Recreation Center14008 Holbrooks Rd.Huntersville21West Boulevard Library2157 West Blvd.Charlotte

Operating hours

DateHoursSites open**Oct. 16 (Thu)****8 a.m.–5 p.m.Hal Marshall Center onlyOct. 17 (Fri)8 a.m.–5 p.m.Hal Marshall Center onlyOct. 20 (Mon)8 a.m.–5 p.m.Hal Marshall Center onlyOct. 21 (Tue)8 a.m.–5 p.m.Hal Marshall Center onlyOct. 22 (Wed)8 a.m.–5 p.m.Hal Marshall Center onlyOct. 23 (Thu)****8 a.m.–7:30 p.m.All 21 locationsOct. 24 (Fri)8 a.m.–7:30 p.m.All 21 locationsOct. 25 (Sat)8 a.m.–3 p.m.All 21 locationsOct. 26 (Sun)****1 p.m.–5 p.m.All 21 locationsOct. 27 (Mon)8 a.m.–7:30 p.m.All 21 locationsOct. 28 (Tue)8 a.m.–7:30 p.m.All 21 locationsOct. 29 (Wed)8 a.m.–7:30 p.m.All 21 locationsOct. 30 (Thu)8 a.m.–7:30 p.m.All 21 locationsOct. 31 (Fri)8 a.m.–7:30 p.m.All 21 locationsNov. 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)

CandidateName on ballotFiling dateAddressPartyTerrie Davis DonovanTerrie D. DonovanJul 18 , 20252810 Selwyn Ave #122, Charlotte, NC 28209RepublicanViola Alexander LylesVi LylesJul 16 , 20256018 South Regal Ln, Charlotte, NC 28210Democratic**Robert Thomas Yates Jr.Rob YatesJul 17 , 2025**2419 Radrick Ln, Charlotte, NC 28262Libertarian

City Council at‑large (vote for 4)

CandidateName on ballotFiling dateAddressParty**Dimple Tansen AjmeraDimple AjmeraJul 11 , 20256528 Matlea Ct, Charlotte, NC 28215DemocraticMisun KimMisun KimJul 11 , 20255003 Sharon Rd Q, Charlotte, NC 28210RepublicanJames Edward Mitchell Jr.James (Smuggie) Mitchell Jr.Jul 17 , 20257803 Wiltshire Ridge Rd, Charlotte, NC 28269DemocraticEdwin Bruton Peacock IIIEdwin B. Peacock IIIJul 17 , 2025427 Hermitage Ct, Charlotte, NC 28207RepublicanClara LaWana Slack‑MayfieldLaWana Slack‑MayfieldJul 18 , 202510227 Holly Park Dr, Charlotte, NC 28214DemocraticVictoria Gayle WatlingtonVictoria WatlingtonJul 16 , 2025**1324 Bethel Rd, Charlotte, NC 28208Democratic

Council District 1 (vote for 1)

CandidateName on ballotFiling dateAddressParty**Dante AndersonDante AndersonJul 15 , 2025**3015 Park Rd, Charlotte, NC 28209Democratic

Council District 2 (vote for 1)

CandidateName on ballotFiling dateAddressParty**Malcolm R. GrahamMalcolm GrahamJul 17 , 2025**3404 Cresta Ct, Charlotte, NC 28269Democratic

Council District 3 (vote for 1)

CandidateName on ballotFiling dateAddressParty**James Harrison BowersJames H. BowersJul 10 , 20254925 Courtney Ridge Ln #511, Charlotte, NC 28217RepublicanRobin Lisa EmmonsRobin EmmonsSep 19 , 20252200 Toddville Rd, Charlotte, NC 28214UnaffiliatedJoi Ashley Dora MayoJoi MayoJul 9 , 2025**409 Goldstaff Ln, Charlotte, NC 28273Democratic

Council District 4 (vote for 1)

CandidateName on ballotFiling dateAddressParty**Renee Perkins JohnsonRenee Perkins JohnsonJul 8 , 2025**9416 Fairmead Dr, Charlotte, NC 28269Democratic

Council District 5 (vote for 1)

CandidateName on ballotFiling dateAddressParty**Juan Diego Mazuera AriasJuan Diego (J.D.) Mazuera AriasJul 17 , 2025**2109 Zephyr Wind Way, Charlotte, NC 28212Democratic

Council District 6 (vote for 1)

CandidateName on ballotFiling dateAddressParty**Krista Keith BokhariKrista BokhariJul 14 , 20253320 Sharon Rd, Charlotte, NC 28211RepublicanKimberly Sipes OwensKimberly OwensJul 7 , 2025**4222 Pepperidge Dr, Charlotte, NC 28226Democratic

Council District 7 (vote for 1)

CandidateName on ballotFiling dateAddressPartyEdmund Hope DriggsEd DriggsJul 7 , 20254901 Old Course Dr, Charlotte, NC 28277Republican

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 begins tomorrow. Make a plan, bring your ID and head to any early‑voting site starting Oct. 16. Casting your ballot early ensures your voice is heard and helps maintain smooth elections for everyone. Share this guide with friends and neighbors so Mecklenburg County’s voices are loud and clear on Nov. 4.