Voter guide 2024: What's on your Mecklenburg County ballot

The 2024 election season is underway. While the presidential race drives many people to the polls, voters will find many other decisions for them down the ballot.

Why it matters: As a North Carolinian, your vote holds extra weight in this swing state during a tight presidential race. State and local races can have more impact on our day-to-day lives — so voters should be educated and prepared for both.

• Here's everything to know before heading out to vote.

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Key Dates and Tips

• Sept. 20: Military and overseas absentee ballots go out to people who've requested them, according to the state elections board .
• Sept. 24: All other absentee ballots begin being mailed.
• Oct. 11: Last day to register to vote . Do so by 5pm, unless you plan to take advantage of same-day registration during the early voting period.
• Check your registration status to see if your information is up to date here .
• Oct. 17: In-person early voting begins. Find early voting sites .
• Oct. 29: Last day to request your absentee ballot . Do so by 5pm.
• Nov. 2: In-person early voting ends at 3pm.
• Election Day — Tuesday, Nov. 5. Polls are open 6:30am–7:30pm.
• Don't forget your driver's license or another acceptable photo ID from this list .
• The deadline to return absentee ballots is Nov. 5 at 7:30pm.

Pro tip: Preview your ballot on the state's voter registration lookup . Search your name and scroll until you see a heading titled "YOUR SAMPLE BALLOT." Click the link under "Your Sample Ballot(s)."

Of note: Absentee ballots were scheduled to go out on Sept. 6 but that date was pushed back after the state Supreme Court ordered county elections boards to reprint ballots without former presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s name on them.

Candidates are listed in alphabetical order by last name. Uncontested races are not included.

U.S. President

Kamala Harris (Democrat) vs. Donald Trump (Republican).

• Also running: Chase Oliver (Libertarian Party), Jill Stein (Green Party), Randall Terry (Constitution Party), Cornel Wes t (Justice for All).

North Carolina is regarded as a battleground state, even though a Democratic president has only been elected here twice in the last 50 years. Our purple color is significant this year, as Vice President Harris and former President Trump are nearly tied in recent polls, as of early September.

Congress

Courtesy of North Carolina State Board of Elections

12th District (Mecklenburg County): Alma Adams (Democrat, incumbent) vs. Addul Ali (Republican).

• Ali, a sales manager and conservative podcast host, is challenging longtime Rep. Adams, who is seeking her sixth full term.

8th District (southeast Mecklenburg, parts of Cabarrus and Union, stretching east to Robeson): Justin Dues (Democrat) vs. Mark Harris (Republican).

• Harris, a Baptist preacher, has a leg up against Dues in this red district, where nearly 60% of voters supported Donald Trump in 2020.
• Harris' run for the state's 9th Congressional District in 2018 was tied to an election fraud scandal . Many voters looked past this in the primary, choosing him over popular state Rep. John Bradford as the GOP nominee.
• Dues is a former member of the Marine Corps who's campaigning to end gerrymandering and term limits for Congress, among other issues.

14th District (north and west Mecklenburg, all of Gaston, stretching west to Polk): Pam Genant (Democrat) vs. Tim Moore (Republican).

• Moore is the state's longest-serving House speaker. He's had his share of scandals but will have a solid chance in this redrawn district.
• Genant is a nurse and a United States Army officer, whose campaign page says she will fight for a "world-class public education system."

Governor

Mark Robinson (Republican) vs. Josh Stein (Democrat). Also running: Mike Ross (Libertarian), Vinny Smith (Constitution) and Wayne Turner (Green).

• A Chapel Hill native, Stein has climbed state government ranks and served as the attorney general since 2017.
• As AG, Stein has helped win a $26 billion opioid settlement , the second largest state attorney general settlement in history , and tackled the state's backlog of sexual assault kits and now, TikTok .
• Robinson is North Carolina's lieutenant governor. Trump endorsed Robinson, calling him "Martin Luther King on steroids." He has advocated for expanding voucher programs for charter schools and ensuring parents' right to have a say in what their children are taught.
• This is one of the country's most expensive and closely watched governor's races , largely because of Robinson's long list of controversial statements about women , Jewish people and the LGBTQ community.
• Robinson would be the first Black governor of North Carolina. Stein would be North Carolina's first Jewish governor.
• Gov. Roy Cooper, whose term limit is up, has been the "last line of defense" against the Republican-controlled General Assembly. Republicans have only held the governor's office three times in state history.

Statewide races

Dan Bishop (left) and Jeff Jackson. Photo illustration: Axios Visuals. Photos: U.S. House of Representatives.

Attorney General: Dan Bishop (Republican) vs. Jeff Jackson (Democrat).

• Bishop's and Jackson's resumes are somewhat similar. But their differences in positions are stark. Both are popular Charlotte-area congressmen.
• Bishop would be the first Republican attorney general in over a century. As a state senator, he was the architect of HB2 — the since-repealed state law that restricted transgender people from using bathrooms that align with their gender identity. He's a member of the far-right House Freedom Caucus.
• Jackson, an Army National Guardsman and former state senator, has amassed a globally recognized TikTok and social media following for explaining what happens in Washington in everyday terms.
• The attorney general handles consumer complaints and lawsuits against the state. Think of them as the in-house counsel for our government. The office is widely considered a springboard to the governor's mansion.

Mo Green (left) and Michele Morrow. Photo illustration: Axios Visuals. Photos: Courtesy of campaigns

Superintendent of Public Instruction: Mo Green (Democrat) vs. Michele Morrow (Republican).

• Although this race is highly politicized , the state superintendent is more of an executive. They are the "face" and head of the Department of Public Instruction — a complex organization that administers about $11 billion annually.
• Morrow has captured national attention for her controversial past statements, such as calling public schools " indoctrination centers ." She also attended the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol and has homeschooled her children.
• Green was formerly the executive director of the Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation, superintendent of Guilford County Schools and general counsel for the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education.
• In the Republican primary, Morrow defeated incumbent Superintendent Catherine Truitt, a Republican who has indicated she would not endorse Morrow.

Lieutenant governor: Rachel Hunt (Democrat) vs. Hal Weatherman (Republican). Also running: Shannon Bray (Libertarian) and Wayne Jones (Constitution).

• The lieutenant governor serves as the state senate's president and would step in as governor if needed. They sit on several boards, including the North Carolina Board of Education.
• Weatherman was chief of staff to former North Carolina Lt. Governor Dan Forest and former U.S. Rep. Sue Myrick.
• Hunt is a state senator representing Mecklenburg County and daughter of former four-term Gov. Jim Hunt.

State auditor: Dave Boliek (Republican) vs. Jessica Holmes (Democrat, incumbent). Also running: Bob Drach (Libertarian).

• The auditor examines records, investigates financial affairs and calls out shady spending.
• Gov. Cooper appointed Holmes to replace Beth Wood, who resigned after a hit-and-run and misdemeanor charges over her personal use of a state car. Wood endorsed Boliek.

Agriculture Commissioner: Sarah Taber (Democrat) vs. Steve Troxler (Republican, incumbent). Also running: Sean Haugh (Libertarian).

• This office is North Carolina's main food and drug safety agency. Troxler has headed it since 2005.

Commissioner of Labor: Luke Farley (Republican) vs. Braxton Winston (Democrat).

• The labor commissioner is the person you know from staring at their headshot while riding the elevator, but the job is much bigger. The labor department protects businesses and workers' rights.
• Winston, who gained national recognition during the 2016 protests over the police killing of Keith Lamont Scott, is Charlotte's former mayor pro tem.
• North Carolina's "elevator lady" Cherie Berry endorsed Farley. He's an attorney from Wake County.

Commissioner of Insurance: Mike Causey (Republican, incumbent) vs. Natasha Marcus (Democrat)

• The insurance commissioner is the state fire marshal and regulates the insurance industry.
• Marcus, a state senator, is trying to oust two-term commissioner Causey.

Secretary of State: Chad Brown (Republican) vs. Elaine Marshall (Democrat, incumbent).

• This office is charged with strengthening the economy, keeping tabs on charitable donations and overseeing the creation of new companies.
• Marshall became the first woman elected to statewide office in North Carolina in 1996 after beating NASCAR legend Richard Petty .
• Brown is Gaston County commissioner chair. Formerly, he was mayor of Stanley and played baseball professionally.

Treasurer: Brad Briner (Republican) vs. Wesley Harris (Democrat).

• The treasurer oversees health care and retirement benefits for state employees, including more than 950,000 teachers and law enforcement officers. Dale Folwell did not seek another term and instead unsuccessfully ran to be the Republican candidate for governor.
• Harris represents Mecklenburg County in the state House.
• Briner recently was leading an investment firm that manages Mike Bloomberg's assets.

N.C. General Assembly

Courtesy of State Board of Elections

House District 98 (north Mecklenburg): Melinda Bales (Republican) vs. Beth Helfrich (Democrat).

• Bales is the former Huntersville mayor.
• Helfrich is a former English teacher and school administrator.

Nicole Sidman (left) and Tricia Cotham. Photo illustration: Axios Visuals. Photos: Courtesy of campaigns

House District 105 (southeast Mecklenburg): Tricia Cotham (Republican) vs. Nicole Sidman (Democrat).

• Democrats are hungry for revenge on Cotham, who flipped to the Republican Party mid-legislative season last year. Cotham's switch gave Republicans the numbers to pass a 12-week abortion ban .
• This race, along with the two others in Mecklenburg mentioned in this section, could tip Republican's veto-proof majority in the state General Assembly.

House District 103 (south Mecklenburg) : Joshua Niday (Republican) vs. Laura Budd (Democrat, incumbent)

• Budd is seeking a second term. She's working on legislation to reform towing laws.
• Niday describes his positions as pro-life and pro-capitalist.

House District 104 (south Charlotte) : Brandon Lofton (Democrat, incumbent) vs. Krista Bokhari (Republican)

• In his third term, Lofton serves on the Finance, Judiciary, Commerce, Local Government, and Agriculture committees.
• Krista Bokhari is married to Charlotte City Council member Tariq Bokhari. She describes herself as "pro America, pro parental choice, pro police, pro school choice" and a "champion for public schools."

House District 99 (northeast Charlotte): Nasif Majeed (Democrat, incumbent) vs. Isaiah Payne (Republican). Also running: Rob Yates (Libertarian)

• Majeed served eight years on Charlotte City Council and is on his third term in the House.

Courtesy of State Board of Elections

Senate District 42 (southeast Mecklenburg): Woodson Bradley (Democrat) vs. Stacie McGinn (Republican).

• McGinn served as general counsel for the Republican Party of North Carolina and was a deputy general counsel at Bank of America.
• Bradley is a real estate broker and domestic violence survivor.

Senate District 37 (northern Mecklenburg County) : Vickie Sawyer (Republican, incumbent) vs. Kate Compton Barr (Democrat)

• Sawyer co-chairs the Senate Committee on Transportation.
• Compton Barr is running on the slogan "Can't Win" because, she says, her district is "so gerrymandered that I don't stand a chance."

Constitutional amendment

This amendment to the state constitution would clarify that "only a citizen of the United States" can vote.

• The constitution currently states that "every person born in the United States and every person who has been naturalized" can vote.
• It's already illegal for noncitizens to vote in federal elections, but supporters of the change say it would make it "absolutely clear" that they cannot.

City of Charlotte referenda

For Charlotte residents, there are three bonds to consider.

Transportation bond — $238.3 million

• This includes $50 million for sidewalks and $20 million for Vision Zero , the city's goal to eliminate traffic deaths by creating safer street networks and educating drivers.
• $55 million will go toward road projects in the city's "strategic investment areas." These are places identified as needing improvements for pedestrians, cyclists and drivers.

Housing bond — $100 million

• The Housing Trust Fund is on the ballot every two years. This year the city is asking voters to approve an increase from $50 million to $100 million.
• The funds would go toward projects to create and preserve housing for low- or moderate-income people.

Neighborhood Improvement Bond — $61.57 million

• This would help pay for neighborhoods' infrastructure — everything from gutters and storm drainage to landscaping and creating public open space.
• It will also contribute $25 million to the city's six "corridors of opportunity" — underinvested areas in Charlotte, such as Beatties Ford Road .

State courts

The North Carolina Supreme Court operates similarly to the U.S. Supreme Court. It has a chief justice and six associate justices. Appeals courts hear cases from trial courts to determine whether any legal errors were made.

N.C. Supreme Court Associate Justice Seat 6: Jefferson Griffin (Republican) vs. Allison Riggs (Democrat).

• Republicans won a 5-2 majority on the court in the 2022 election, and the winner of this seat will determine if Democrats continue to hold two seats, or just one.

N.C. Court of Appeals Judge Seat 12: Tom Murry (Republican) vs. Carolyn Jennings Thompson (Democrat).

N.C. Court of Appeals Judge Seat 14: Ed Eldred (Democrat) vs. Valerie Zachary (Republican).

N.C. Court of Appeals Judge Seat 15: Chris Freeman (Republican) vs. Martin Moore (Democrat).

Local races

Soil and Water Conservation District Supervisor: Tigress Sydney Acute McDaniel, Mitchell Mullen and Lisa Carol Rudisill.

• The supervisors manage grants to property owners for conservation projects, like installing a pet waste receptacle in their front yard or creating a rain garden.
• There are five supervisors on Mecklenburg County's board. Voters elect three. Only one spot is on the ballot this year.
• The North Carolina Soil and Water Conservation Commission appoints the two other people.

Mecklenburg Board of County Commissioners, District 1: Aaron R. Marin (Republican) vs. Elaine Powell (Democrat, incumbent).

Mecklenburg Board of County Commissioners, District 2: Angela White Edwards (Republican) vs. Vilma Leake (Democrat, incumbent).

Mecklenburg Board of County Commissioners, District 3: Felicia R. Thompkins (Republican) vs. George Dunlap (Democrat, incumbent).

Mecklenburg Board of Commissioners District 5: Arthur McCulloch (Republican) vs. Laura Meier (Democrat, incumbent).

Mecklenburg Board of Commissioners District 6: Jim Marascio (Republican) vs. Susan Rodriguez-McDowell (Democrat, incumbent).

Editor's note: We've updated this story with additional county commission races.