CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Charlotte leaders decided Monday to push back all city elections until next year. The decision comes after COVID-19 delayed key census information for city districts.
The primary will now be held in March, and the general election will take place in late April.
Because of the lack of census information, which is delayed because of COVID-19, the city can't properly redraw district lines. As a result, district races seemed out of the question until next year, which would give all council members extra time in office.
City Council did not have to vote to move elections to 2022 since a state law doing just that was already passed.
However, council could've voted to hold the mayoral and at-large races in November 2021 since the population data doesn't matter for those races. Those elected leaders represent the city as a whole instead of a specific district where population comes into play.
Ultimately, council decided to postpone the mayoral and at-large races as well in order to keep the elections together.
Citizens attended Monday's meeting and spoke out on both sides of the issue.
"Holding two different elections for city council will have a suppressive and disenfranchising impact on voters," said Stephanie Sneed, a Charlotte resident.
"We do not need more chaos by dividing these race," added resident Janice Robinson.
Others disagreed, arguing since the census data doesn't matter for the mayor and at-large races, they should still be held and if not, leaders are only giving themselves more time on the dais.
"Make no mistake -- having transparent and timely elections is the opposite of voter suppression, which you'll hear. Moving the goal-post is true voter suppression," said resident Sarah Reidy-Jones.
"There are no legal justifications for the delay of the mayor or city council at-large positions at this time," added Lawrence Shaheen, a Charlotte resident.
Republican Councilman Tariq Bokhari made a motion during the meeting to hold mayoral and at-large elections this November, but that motion failed.
Fellow republican Councilman Ed Driggs was the only other colleague to vote for the motion.
Charlotte residents against splitting the election attended the meeting Monday night to make their thoughts known. One woman held a sign saying "Please no separate election! Our taxes shouldn't pay for census meddling."
Contact Richard DeVayne at rdevayne@wcnc.com and follow him on Facebook and Twitter.
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