Mecklenburg County voters this week approved a 1% sales tax increase referendum to fund transportation projects. Support was inconsistent across the county.
JEFF SINER
jsiner@charlotteobserver.com
A majority of Mecklenburg County voters said yes this week to a sales tax increase that is expected to set in motion a multi-billion dollar regional transportation overhaul.
The transit tax earned some of its biggest gains from the central city and NoDa area, which has access to an active line, and one precinct on the far north end of the county around Davidson, which is anticipating access to a line. The median age of registered voters in these areas ranged from 29 to 43. They skew more Democrat than Republican, but the largest share of them don’t affiliate with any party.
The measure appears to have been the least favored around the southeastern edge of the county, an area that was originally supposed to get access to the silver line. But the plan was canceled. The median age of the registered voters in these areas ranged from 46 to 57.
Several precincts in the county’s southeast that opposed the tax skew more Republican than Democrat – but a couple skew more Democrat. But, like the areas that heavily supported the measure, voters are more commonly unaffiliated.
The curated articles on the 2025 transit tax proposal in Mecklenburg County highlight key things voters should know about a 1% sales tax increase. Common themes include examining the potential economic impact, addressing transit infrastructure needs, and differing views on the proposal’s fairness.
The Charlotte Observer’s reporters have spent the past few months reporting on potential impacts of the referendum, which asks voters whether they support a 1% increase in the local sales tax to fund road, rail, and bus projects.
Supporters argue it addresses congestion and long-term infrastructure needs. Opponents view the tax as regressive and potential accelerant of gentrification risks. Charlotte-area leaders have polarized opinions. Some back the tax, stating it improves transit while others criticize it for increasing costs.
The Charlotte light rail travels atop a mural behind Optimist Hall in Charlotte By TRACY KIMBALL
NO. 1: WILL MECKLENBURG TRANSPORTATION TAX INCREASE FOOD PRICES? HOW PROPOSAL AFFECTS YOU
The proposal could increase Mecklenburg’s sales tax rate from 7.25% to 8.25%, which doesn’t apply universally to all purchased goods. | Published July 21, 2025 | Read Full Story by Mary Ramsey
Voters line up early to cast their ballot on Tuesday, November 5, 2024. By TRACY KIMBALL
NO. 2: MECKLENBURG COUNTY NEARING HISTORIC SALES TAX VOTE. HOW HAVE PAST ELECTIONS GONE?
Referendums like the one poised to appear on Mecklenburg County ballots this November faced mixed reactions from voters in recent decades. | Published August 6, 2025 | Read Full Story by Mary Ramsey
The Lynx Blue Line Parkwood Station in Charlotte, N.C., on Wednesday, September 10, 2025. By KHADEJEH NIKOUYEH
NO. 3: WILL CHARLOTTE LIGHT RAIL STABBING HURT TRANSPORTATION REFERENDUM’S CHANCES?
A murder that captured national attention could affect Charlotte’s efforts to overhaul its transportation system because the multibillion-dollar plan is now in voters’ hands, a political expert says. | Published September 16, 2025 | Read Full Story by Mary Ramsey
The Blue Line train moves through South End in Charlotte. By Jeff Siner
NO. 4: COULD CHARLOTTE TRANSPORTATION REFERENDUM PRICE PEOPLE OUT OF THEIR HOUSES?
Greg Jarrell says has seen “an enormous wave of money” crash into west Charlotte in recent years. | Published September 22, 2025 | Read Full Story by Nick Sullivan
A plan to revamp the Charlotte region’s transportation system with billions in road, rail and bus projects funded by a sales tax increase hinges on voters’ decisions in the upcoming election. By JEFF SINER
NO. 5: CHARLOTTE AREA ROLLS TOWARD HISTORIC TRANSIT VOTE. IS THERE 2ND CHANCE IF IT FAILS?
A plan to revamp the Charlotte region’s transportation system with billions of dollars for road, rail and bus projects would be in jeopardy if Mecklenburg residents vote down a sales tax increase to fund it this November. | Published October 16, 2025 | Read Full Story by Mary Ramsey
No image found A plan to revamp the Charlotte region’s transportation system with billions in road, rail and bus projects funded by a sales tax increase hinges on voters’ decisions in the upcoming election. By JEFF SINER
Charlotte-area leaders and organizations have staked out positions for or against Mecklenburg’s transportation tax referendum. | Published October 28, 2025 | Read Full Story by Mary Ramsey
The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.
Railroad tracks at Camp North End in Charlotte. This site is a potential location for a new station on the Charlotte Area Transit System’s proposed Red Line rail project.
Chase Jordan
cjordan@charlotteobserver.com
Work on some projects that would be funded by the referendum on Mecklenburg County’s November ballot could begin as soon as late 2026 or early 2027.
The referendum on the 2025 ballot asks voters to approve or reject a 1% sales tax rate increase to fund road, rail and bus projects across the county. Road projects likely will be among the first to get started. Rail projects could take the longest.
If the referendum passes, local leaders anticipate the tax increase will generate more than $19 billion in revenue over the next 30 years. Of that money, 40% will go to rail projects and 20% to the region’s bus system. The other 40% would be divided between Charlotte and Mecklenburg’s six towns for road projects.
Some projects have priority, and some could come together faster because of their size and scope, local leaders say. Here’s what voters should expect when it comes to work starting:
When would work start on Red Line, other rail projects?
There’s no exact date yet for when crews would break ground on rail projects if the referendum passes. Existing plans include a general timeline and plans for prioritization.
The Red Line, a commuter rail line from uptown to Lake Norman-area towns
The Silver Line, a light rail line from Charlotte Douglas International Airport to Bojangles Coliseum. The line was originally slated to run from Belmont to Matthews but was shortened due to budgetary constraints over the objection of some east Mecklenburg leaders
An extension of the Blue Line light rail to Carolina Place in Pineville
An extension of the Gold Line streetcar from the Rosa Parks Community Transit Center to Eastland Yards
The Silver Line could eventually be extended further east, as could the Blue Line to Ballantyne, according to the plan.
The state law authorizing the referendum says the transit authority must complete at least 50% of the Red Line before completing any of the other rail projects on the docket. The commuter rail project has been in the works for decades but was hindered by a lack of access to railroad tracks and funding.
The Charlotte Area Transit System told The Charlotte Observer the rail projects are currently in the design stage and “will move as quickly as possible, with advancement within the next decade” if the tax increase passes.
What about buses, microtransit?
CATS’ overhaul of its bus system “would begin as soon as possible” if the tax increase passes, with a goal of completing the work within five years, the agency said. The plan, dubbed “Better Bus,” includes $3.8 billion in projects.
CATS plans to increase frequencies on its 15 busiest bus routes to 15 minutes or less.
Additional work would include:
Bus stop improvements, including 2,000 additional shelters, benches and waiting pads
Priority traffic signals for buses on the busiest routes
Bus fleet improvements, including 89 new buses
Increased express bus service frequency
The bus money would also fund an expansion of CATS’ microtransit program — a rideshare-like service currently operating in select parts of north Charlotte and Lake Norman-area towns — to 19 other parts of the county.
Charlotte, towns make plans for road projects
Road projects funded by the potential sales tax increase could begin in the next year or two.
Charlotte could begin work on road projects funded by new tax revenue as soon as money starts coming in, “which is anticipated to be in late 2026 or early 2027,” city spokesman Jack VanderToll said.
Davidson commissioners would decide the specific start dates for projects funded by the sales tax increase if it takes effect based on existing plans, resident feedback and the town’s prioritization process, town clerk Betsy Shores said.
Matthews expects revenue from the sales tax would be available to spend starting in fiscal year 2028, which begins July 2027, town spokeswoman Maureen Ryan said.
“In the meantime, we’ll continue planning and prioritizing transportation projects to be ready when the time comes,” she told the Observer.
Pineville plans to focus on smaller projects “from the onset” with the goal of starting “a more sizable road project” within 18 months to two years of receiving significant revenue, according to assistant town manager Chris Tucker.
Cornelius leaders plan to prioritize projects and set timelines for those projects if the referendum passes, town spokeswoman Emma Mondo said. Those projects may include “major road projects,” work on intersections and pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure, and maintenance.
Huntersville spokesman Ethan Smith said the town doesn’t have details yet on when work would begin on projects funded by the potential tax increase.
Representatives for Mint Hill did not respond to questions from an Observer reporter about the town’s plans for its portion of the roads funding.
Mary Ramsey is the local government accountability reporter for The Charlotte Observer. A native of the Carolinas, she studied journalism at the University of South Carolina and has also worked in Phoenix, Arizona and Louisville, Kentucky. Support my work with a digital subscription
“With so many people settling in Mecklenburg County, now is the time to make the critical infrastructure investments to keep the county a great place to live, work, and raise a family,” Stein said in a Tuesday statement. “This referendum will enhance safety, reduce congestion, and keep the region moving and thriving.”
NC Gov. Josh Stein, flanked by Charlotte-area leaders, signs a bill allowing Mecklenburg County to put a sales tax referendum on the ballot to pay for transportation projects. Behind Stein is Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles (in red dress) and State Rep. Tricia Cotham (in green dress). Screenshot YouTube
And on Friday, the influential Black Political Caucus announced its endorsement. Chair Jocelyn Jones-Nolley said in a statement the group’s “overwhelming vote of support demonstrates the unity of our members in recognizing the importance of this referendum to Mecklenburg County’s future.”
“We look forward to partnering with the Metropolitan Public Transportation Authority and other stakeholders to ensure community concerns are prioritized and addressed, and that the benefits of this investment are shared broadly across all neighborhoods,” she said. “This is about ensuring growth that works for everyone.”
Mecklenburg County voters will decide whether to approve a 1% sales tax increase to fund road, rail and bus projects. Plans include, among other initiatives, the construction of the Red Line commuter rail to the Lake Norman area and an overhaul of the region’s bus system.
The revamped public transit system would be led by a new regional authority.
Supporters say the plan will relieve traffic congestion and improve the region’s infrastructure. Opponents say a sales tax is regressive and question the decision to shorten the long-planned Silver Line light rail from the airport to eastern Mecklenburg County due to funding constraints.
Safety became part of the conversation about the referendum in recent weeks following the killing of Iryna Zarutska on the LYNX Blue Line in South End. Zarutska’s death also attracted national attention and a congressional hearing on crime in Charlotte on Monday.
CLT Alliance CEO Robert McCutcheon said in a statement Stein’s endorsement “reinforces the urgency of this moment.”
“With the Governor’s support, we are sending a clear message: this referendum is essential for the future of Mecklenburg County, and now is the time to act,” McCutcheon said.
The “Yes For Meck” campaign said in a statement the BPC’s endorsement “adds significant momentum to the referendum campaign.”
Election Day is Nov. 4, and early voting begins Oct. 16.
This story was originally published September 30, 2025 at 2:18 PM.
Mary Ramsey is the local government accountability reporter for The Charlotte Observer. A native of the Carolinas, she studied journalism at the University of South Carolina and has also worked in Phoenix, Arizona and Louisville, Kentucky. Support my work with a digital subscription
