2022 Charlotte Voter Guide
Charlotte voters: make your voice heard in this year’s election for Mayor & City Council!
About the 2022 Charlotte Municipal Election
This year’s election for Charlotte Mayor & City Council will be on Tuesday, July 26. Polls will be open 6:30 a.m. – 7:30 p.m. on Election Day. Find your Election Day polling place.
Questions about Charlotte’s election? Contact the Mecklenburg County Board of Elections at 704-336-2133.
WHAT DOES THE CITY COUNCIL DO?
The Mayor and the other members of the Charlotte City Council make a wide range of decisions affecting your life. The City Council sets policies and priorities and oversees the many functions of local government, including:
• The Police & Fire Departments
• Economic & Community Development
• Anti-Discrimination Ordinances
• Tax Rates & the City Budget
• Streets, Sidewalks & Road Repair
• Historic Preservation
• Zoning & Building Code Enforcement
• Affordable Housing
• Recreation, Parks & Arts Programs
• Water & Waste Disposal
• City Govt. Employee Wages & Benefits
• Appointments to Boards & Committees
The Mayor is elected citywide, as are At-Large members, while the other members of the City Council are elected from districts. Click here to find out which district you live in.
Candidates for Charlotte Mayor (vote for one candidate)
Stephanie de Sarachaga-Bilbao
Party: Republican
no response from candidate
Vi Alexander Lyles
Party: Democratic
Occupation: Mayor
Background: Since receiving a Bachelor’s in Political Science and a Master’s in Public Administration, Mayor Lyles has accumulated over 40 years of public service leadership in Charlotte, serving as a budget analyst, Budget Director, Assistant City Manager, City Council Representative, Mayor Pro Tem, and Mayor.
Please describe your top 2 or 3 priorities if elected:
Affordable Housing: Charlotte grows every day, but what is growth without stability? People need to have a house and a community to call home. Transportation: Our people must have the means to get to their job, their homes, their loved ones, and back; a safe, reliable quality of life.
Please choose any ONE issue below and answer how you would address that issue (affordable housing, police accountability, or jobs for youth):
Affordable housing: I’m proud of the $50 million this city committed toward affordable housing (and the $50 million matched) in 2018, but we still need more. I urge everyone to look into the 2040 Comprehensive Plan/Leading on Opportunity we have developed to ensure that Charlotte’s growth is equitable.
Website: facebook.com/ViLylesCLT
Candidates for Charlotte City Council – At-Large (vote for four candidates)
Dimple Ajmera
Party: Democratic
Occupation: Charlotte City Councilwoman At-Large
Background: Bachelor’s of Accounting from University of Southern California; Certified Public Accountant (CPA) – worked in the financial services sector; Charlotte Housing Authority Board of Commissioners; I successfully championed affordable healthcare for thousands of city employees.
Please describe your top 2 or 3 priorities if elected:
I am very principled and always vote my values: Build a safe Charlotte regardless of your zip code; Champion sustainable infrastructure and resilient future; Expand access to affordable housing; Create economic opportunities in all parts of our city
Please choose any ONE issue below and answer how you would address that issue (affordable housing, police accountability, or jobs for youth):
Affordable housing: As one of the fastest-growing cities, affordable housing will continue to be a pressing issue, especially for our lower-income workforce. We increased the affordable housing bond referendum from $15 to $50 million. I will continue to champion access to affordable housing in all parts of our city.
Website: DimpleAjmera.com
Kyle J. Luebke
Party: Republican
Occupation: Lawyer
Background: Previous Strategic Advisor – Charlotte 2040 Plan; Previous Member – Ordinance Advisory Committee for the Unified Development Ordinance; Previous Vice Chair of The Plus Collective – Charlotte’s LGBTQ+ Community Fund; Member – Arts and Science Council Advisory Board South/East
Please describe your top 2 or 3 priorities if elected:
Housing – Incentivize housing to own to build generational wealth; work on ways to alleviate the tax burden for homeowners. Transportation – Prioritize transit that people actually use as opposed to transit for development. Small Business – Create an ecosystem for small businesses to thrive.
Please choose any ONE issue below and answer how you would address that issue (affordable housing, police accountability, or jobs for youth):
Affordable housing: Three ways: 1) Incentivize building homes to own through our zoning code. Work with developers to understand the pain points on this issue. 2) Reform our down-payment assistance program so it reaches communities who desperately need it. 3) Ensure property taxes don’t displace homeowners.
Website: KyleLuebke.com
David Merrill
Party: Republican
Occupation: National Sales Director, Executive Solutions
Background: I have been a leader and exceeded expectations my entire life; the national record for youngest age to earn the rank of eagle scout, have successfully run multiple businesses, built & developed multiple high-performing teams across industries & work providing technology solutions to housing providers
Please describe your top 2 or 3 priorities if elected:
Public Safety, Public Transportation, Affordable Housing
Please choose any ONE issue below and answer how you would address that issue (affordable housing, police accountability, or jobs for youth):
Police accountability and community relations: CLTCC needs to provide adequate funding to make CMPD an employer of choice for anyone with an interest in LE. We need officers out of their vehicles walking the neighborhoods where they live, work, & serve, speaking to the residents of those areas to build relationships & a sense of community.
Website: VoteMerrill.com
James (Smuggie) Mitchell
Party: Democratic
Occupation: Chief Executive Officer of 5-Star Supply Company
Background: Charlotte native, elected to City Council in 1999 as District 2 representative. In 2015 I was elected as City Council At-Large. Known as a collaborative leader that puts Charlotte first. Accomplished projects for the city in the areas of Public Safety, Economic Development, and Affordable housing.
Please describe your top 2 or 3 priorities if elected:
Economic Development-Support funding for Women’s Business Center, funding for Corridors of Opportunity, increase minority participation on City Contracts, new funding for start up business. Public Safety approve funding for de-escalation training, fund non-profits who are committed to public safety.
Please choose any ONE issue below and answer how you would address that issue (affordable housing, police accountability, or jobs for youth):
Affordable housing: Develop a rental assistance voucher program, support more units on City owned land, more units along the transit corridors, increase funding for Housing Trust funds, and advocate for another $50 million housing bond.
Website: facebook.com/JamesWorks4CLT
Charlie Mulligan
Party: Republican
no response from candidate
Carrie Olinski
Party: Republican
no response from candidate
LaWana Slack-Mayfield
Party: Democratic
Occupation: College Student
Background: I am a trained community organizer, who formerly served on Charlotte City Council representing District 3 for eight years, have a proven track record on job creation, community advocacy, support of small minority business, and served on multiple local, state and national boards in leadership roles.
Please describe your top 2 or 3 priorities if elected:
Transportation to better connect our workers to employment, a focus on “Hire Local” to create opportunities for local residents who are being priced out of the city to obtain quality housing, access to education, entertainment and safe neighborhoods.
Please choose any ONE issue below and answer how you would address that issue (affordable housing, police accountability, or jobs for youth):
Affordable housing: I created the Charlotte TLCbyCLT program which has funded housing rehab for home repairs. I also believe the City needs to lead the way by NOT selling any more City owned land without clear commitments to “Diverse Price Point Housing” guidelines which include financial clawbacks.
Website: VoteLaWanaMayfield.com, facebook.com/Mayfield4CouncilAtLarge
Braxton David Winston II
Party: Democratic
Occupation: Charlotte Liaison for Delaware College Scholars Program
Background: Two-term Council member. Davidson College ’07, Anthropology. A member of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) Union. He is also the Charlotte Liaison for the Delaware College Scholars Program. He sits on several boards and committees.
Please describe your top 2 or 3 priorities if elected:
The next City Council must continue to take effective steps in implementation of the Comprehensive 2040 plan. Putting an equity lens on the growth strategies cannot be understated. Bridging the digital divide and making our city digitally inclusive must also be a priority.
Please choose any ONE issue below and answer how you would address that issue (affordable housing, police accountability, or jobs for youth):
Police accountability and community relations: The Charlotte City Council & CMPD have both acknowledged that we shouldn’t just rely on law enforcement to provide the community & customer services that people need. We should continue to find & implement robust civilian response models to serve people who call us for help.
Website: VoteBraxton.com
Candidates for Charlotte City Council – District 1 (vote for one candidate)
Dante Anderson
Party: Democratic
no response from candidate
Candidates for Charlotte City Council – District 2 (vote for one candidate)
Mary Lineberger Barnett
Party: Republican
Occupation: Hearing Instrument Specialist
Background: Educator, Small Business Owner, Precinct Chair, Hearing Instrument Specialist
Please describe your top 2 or 3 priorities if elected:
Crime, Fiscal Conservatism, School Choice
Please choose any ONE issue below and answer how you would address that issue (affordable housing, police accountability, or jobs for youth):
Police accountability and community relations: Better assess the operation of the law enforcement’s policies on de-escalation techniques, use-of-force techniques, and improve notification systems to identify problematic personnel, ultimately leading to an improved relationship with law enforcement in the neighborhoods they serve.
Website: Mary4CityCouncil.com
Malcolm Graham
Party: Democratic
Occupation: Executive Director, Charlotte Amateur Tennis Championship
Background: Former NC State Senator 2005-15, Charlotte City Council, 1999-05, Charlotte City Council Member
Please describe your top 2 or 3 priorities if elected:
Neighborhood Equity & Stabilization, Affordable Housing, Economic Opportunity & Job Growth, Transportation and Public Safety
Please choose any ONE issue below and answer how you would address that issue (affordable housing, police accountability, or jobs for youth):
Affordable housing: Increase Affordable Bonds from 50m to 100m, Leverage City owned land for affordable housing, Strengthen Corridors of Opportunity Program, support “A home for all” fighting Homelessness project.
Website: MalcolmGrahamCLT.com
Candidates for Charlotte City Council – District 3 (vote for one candidate)
James H. Bowers
Party: Republican
no response from candidate
Victoria Watlington
Party: Democratic
Occupation: no response from candidate
Background: Charlotte City Councilmember, District 3
Please describe your top 2 or 3 priorities if elected:
Community-Led Planning; Affordable Housing; Transportation; Economic Mobility
Please choose any ONE issue below and answer how you would address that issue (affordable housing, police accountability, or jobs for youth):
Affordable housing: I’ve advocated for the expansion of the Staying in Place program. I’ve worked to secure over $400K in City investment for the land trust. As the Housing Committee Chair, I support policy to end Source of Income Discrimination in City-supported housing.
Website: WinWithWatlington.com
Candidates for Charlotte City Council – District 4 (vote for one candidate)
Renee Perkins Johnson
Party: Democratic
Occupation: Charlotte City Council, District 4 Representative
Background: Charlotte City Council, District 4 Representative. 30 yrs of broad experience in Real Estate, Public Service & Nonprofit leadership. Founder of Triumph Services, a behavioral health organization serving the homeless, formerly incarcerated and trauma survivors
Please describe your top 2 or 3 priorities if elected:
Advocating for affordable housing and strategic development. Charlotte residents are being priced out of our city. The rents and home prices are becoming unattainable for many. I am also proposing for more strategic policies for development that will mitigate the impact on our current residents.
Please choose any ONE issue below and answer how you would address that issue (affordable housing, police accountability, or jobs for youth):
Affordable housing: Requiring any developer who seeks financial assistance, (i.e. tax grants) to accept housing vouchers and alternative sources of income. This will increase affordable housing options. Lowering permit fees for developers so that they are able to build more affordable housing.
Website: ReElectRenee4CLT.com
Candidates for Charlotte City Council – District 5 (vote for one candidate)
Marjorie Molina
Party: Democratic
no response from candidate
Candidates for Charlotte City Council – District 6 (vote for one candidate)
Tariq Scott Bokhari
Party: Republican
Occupation: Founder
Background: Prior to launching the Carolina Fintech Hub, serving as a Charlotte City Councilman, and launching and exiting his own fintech startup, Tariq served as the Head of Innovation and Investment for FIS Global. He has also held executive positions in GE Capital, Wells Fargo and Wachovia.
Please describe your top 2 or 3 priorities if elected:
Economic development recruiting, upward mobility outcomes, public safety enhancements and infrastructure investments.
Please choose any ONE issue below and answer how you would address that issue (affordable housing, police accountability, or jobs for youth):
Jobs for youth: We are failing our youth today in preparing them for the future. I have spent the last 5 years building new programs and approaches to meet kids where they are, particularly in underserved parts of the community, and teach them STEM, coding and entrepreneurship.
Website: TariqScottBokhari.com
Stephanie Hand
Party: Democratic
no response from candidate
Candidates for Charlotte City Council – District 7 (vote for one candidate)
Ed Driggs
Party: Republican
no response from candidate
Voting Tools
Questions about Charlotte’s election?
Contact the Mecklenburg County Board of Elections at 704-336-2133.
