Mecklenburg County is one of 10 North Carolina counties with primary elections this fall. Charlotte is one of even fewer municipalities with contests set for next week. In the largely Democratic stronghold, the primaries generally decide the overall winner.

Turnout is usually low. In the 2023 mayoral primary, about 5% of registered voters made their way to the polls, according to State Board of Elections data. This year appears to be no different. As of Aug. 29, just under 1,000 Charlotteans had voted by mail or at the city’s sole early voting site, according to the Mecklenburg County Board of Elections. The election is Tuesday, Sept. 9.

Don’t let the low interest fool you. The results of Charlotte’s primary elections will significantly impact both the city and North Carolina as a whole.

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