Charlotte election filing opens for 2025 races

MECKLENBURG COUNTY, N.C. — Election season is beginning in the Queen City. 

Candidate filing officially opens on July 7 at 8 a.m. and runs through July 18 at noon, setting the stage for the 2025 municipal elections in Mecklenburg County.

To run for office locally — city council, mayor, or school board — candidates must:

• Be at least 21 years old by the general election
• Be registered voters residing in the district or municipality at time of filing
• For partisan races, they must have been party-affiliated by April 18, 2025, or collect petitions

Alongside the mayor’s seat, all 11 Charlotte City Council seats and six school board positions are up for grabs. 

The partisan primary is set for Sept.  9. Should a primary runoff be needed, that’ll take place on Oct. 7. 

Incumbent Tiawana Brown said she will seek reelection in District 3, despite a federal indictment for alleged COVID-relief wire fraud. Brown has pleaded not guilty and says she won’t resign, citing public mandate. 

She could now face a Democratic primary challenge from Montravias King, a former teacher turned nonprofit leader and renewable energy consultant, who announced his bid in early June. If he files, King would oppose Brown in the September primary in what promises to be a closely watched contest in a strongly Democratic district.

Mayor Vi Lyles, first elected in 2017 and reelected in 2019 and 2022, has not said if she will run for reelection as mayor, which has fueled speculation about others who might, including at-large council members Dimple Ajmera and Malcolm Graham. Neither have publicly said they intend to run for that race at this time, though. 

If Lyles ultimately opts not to run, expect a competitive primary among Democrats seeking the seat.

• Voter engagement: Turnout in the 2023 Charlotte municipal and school board elections hovered near 15.5%, highlighting a challenge for local civic participation.
• High-profile contests: Brown’s legal issues add a layer of scrutiny to District 3, while a potential open mayoral seat could shift the city’s leadership direction.

Contact Richard DeVayne at rdevayne@wcnc.com and follow him on Facebook, X and Instagram.