One Week, Mayoral Candidates Discuss Three Key Issues

CHARLOTTE, NC — It’s one week until election day, and mayoral candidates are making final efforts to get your vote. It comes at a time unlike any other.

City Council is trying to solve what it calls an affordable housing crisis. “We’ll need some help from the state. Current law does not address some of the things we need to do,” said Kenny Smith.

Violent protests and deadly riots over police use of force happened just more than a year ago.

“Get back to community policing,” said Vi Lyles.

All happening in the 11th fastest growing city in the U.S. according to the Census Bureau.

“We have enough plans on the shelf that we ought to start taking action to implement,” said Lyles.

Political analysts say three critical issues bringing people to the polls include economic growth and crime.

The third, they say, differs depending on groups. Dr. Eric Heberlig with UNC Charlotte says Many African Americans are watching candidates’ views on police relations and economic inequality, while white voters watch spending projects like the soccer stadium deal.

“You should be able to live and afford to live In Charlotte,” said Smith. “You better have a good paying job and a safe neighborhood. Again, those are the issues that we’re focused on.”

“How do we provide good paying jobs, so that you don’t have to work two, three jobs to pay our rent? How do we have affordable rent and affordable housing, and how do we have trust with our police department?” said Lyles.

The Mecklenburg County Board of Elections says, as of Monday, Nearly more than 11,300 people voted. 3,790 were African American. 6,998 were white. The remaining were Native American, multi-race or listed as other.

“I voted against the toll roads, which adversely impact people on the lower end of the wage scale. I voted for affordable housing vote that would put $18 and a half million  in to affordable housing as apposed to soccer stadium,” said Smith.

“When you talk about good paying jobs, you’re going out and recruiting businesses,” said Lyles. “When they come into town you’re going to say, ‘Be a part of our community. Hire locally.'”

Early voting at the Hal Marshall building begins at 8:00 Tuesday morning. You can go to 16 additional locations starting at 10:00 in the morning.

Early voting ends Saturday.

Tuesday, election day, voting starts at 6:30 in the morning at your assigned precinct.