CHARLOTTE, NC – A year of protest and controversy could have an impact on who becomes Charlotte’s next Mayor and who sits on City Council.
“I think in Charlotte, there’s been a lot of interest because there have been so many headline making issues,” explains WCCB Charlotte Political Contributor Mary C. Curtis.
She says issues like the Keith Scott shooting and a recent increase in homicides expose underlying problems in the city.
“Poverty, social mobility, housing, all of these things,” Curtis says.
There are several Democrats and Republicans running to try and unseat Mayor Jennifer Roberts.
And 30 candidates are running to fill at-large and district seats on City Council.
“A lot of people feel disenfranchised. A lot of people are disappointed,” explains Colette Forrest, chair of the Black Political Caucus.
Sunday night, the group met to endorse City Council candidates.
Forrest says she hopes Charlotte’s big issues will drive people to the polls.
“I think those matters are really meaning something to the people right now and they want to have their vote to register either their displeasure about what is happening or reaffirm those that are in office,” Forrest says.
Typically there is little voter turnout for off-year elections.
Curtis says perhaps this will be the year that changes.
“I would hope that we get out of the single digits at least. When we’ve had those elections, it’s really a shame,” Curtis says.
