The Franchise: Democracy at the Ballot Box

The Charlotte Post's Herbert L. White leads reporting in this three-part series, which focuses on local efforts to improve voter turnout in North Carolina's largest county.

In recent election cycles, Mecklenburg County has lagged North Carolina in participation since the 2020 general election, with a steep drop among Black voters. White examines the causes for the drop and local efforts to improve turnout in the 2026 midterms through grassroots advocacy, outreach initiatives, and voter education.

This series will also include a history of how Black voters shaped modern-day Charlotte by electing more policymakers of color and support of local initiatives that drive economic growth.