Isabella Carter
Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, is set to vote on several ballot measures in the upcoming election, including a controversial constitutional amendment that seeks to clarify that only citizens of the United States who are 18 or older can vote. This amendment has been pushed by Republican lawmakers and is expected to have an impact on the election cycle, with immigration being a key issue. While it is already illegal for non-citizens to vote in federal and state elections, this amendment aims to make it absolutely clear that they are not eligible. In addition to this constitutional amendment, voters in Mecklenburg County will also decide on funding for schools, parks, roads, and libraries, totaling nearly $500 million.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | Mecklenburg County, North Carolina |
| Date | 2024 Election |
| Ballot Measures | Funding for schools, parks, roads, and libraries in the Mecklenburg County area totaling nearly $500 million |
| Citizen-only voting constitutional amendment | |
| Funding for schools in Union County | |
| Occupancy tax referendum for Stallings residents | |
| Overhaul of state Senate districts |
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What You'll Learn
Funding for schools, parks, roads and libraries
Voters in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, will decide on several ballot measures in the 2024 election. One of these measures includes funding for schools, parks, roads, and libraries in the county, totalling nearly $500 million.
In Mecklenburg County, Union County residents will decide on nearly $40 million in school bonds. The funds will address ageing facilities at Parkwood High and East Union Middle, which were built over 60 years ago. The money will be used for pre-construction for a new Parkwood High School and to relocate East Union Middle to the Forest Hills High campus.
Additionally, voters in Mecklenburg County will decide on a constitutional amendment regarding voter eligibility. The amendment seeks to change the wording in the state constitution from allowing every" person born in the United States or naturalized to vote, to stating that "only" a U.S. citizen over the age of 18 can vote. This amendment clarifies that non-U.S. citizens cannot vote in federal and state elections, which is already illegal.
Furthermore, GOP lawmakers have reintroduced a constitutional amendment to overhaul state Senate districts. The proposal would give the General Assembly the power to decide which two counties make up each senatorial district, potentially expanding Republican dominance in the Senate. If passed, this amendment will appear on the ballot for the November 2026 general election.
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Citizen-only voting
In 2024, voters in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, will decide on a constitutional amendment that would restrict voting rights to U.S. citizens who are 18 or older. The amendment seeks to change the voter eligibility language in the state constitution, which currently states that "every" person born in the United States or naturalized can vote. The proposed amendment has sparked some confusion and debate, with opponents arguing that it is unnecessary and intended to influence Republican voter turnout.
The current laws in North Carolina and at the federal level already prohibit non-U.S. citizens from voting in elections. The 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution requires individuals to be born or naturalized in the country to be eligible to vote. However, proponents of the amendment argue that the current constitutional language in North Carolina is ambiguous and could potentially allow cities or municipalities to pass ordinances enabling noncitizens to vote in local elections. They aim to clarify the language to explicitly state that only U.S. citizens have the right to vote.
The amendment, if passed, would amend the North Carolina Constitution to read: "Only a citizen of the United States who is 18 years of age and possessing the qualifications set out in this Article, shall be entitled to vote at any election by the people of the State." This change would proactively prevent any future attempts by North Carolina cities or the state legislature to pass laws permitting noncitizens to vote in local or state elections.
Mecklenburg County is among the counties with ballot measures that include funding allocations for schools, parks, roads, and libraries, totaling nearly $500 million. Additionally, Union County residents will decide on a separate ballot measure regarding school bonds worth nearly $40 million to address aging facilities at Parkwood High and East Union Middle Schools. These financial decisions will have an impact on the community and its future.
While the citizen-only voting amendment has been a contentious issue, it is important to note that it is not the only matter that voters in Mecklenburg County will be considering. The ballot measures also include important decisions regarding education and infrastructure funding, which will shape the county's future.
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Overhaul of state Senate districts
In 2025, GOP lawmakers reintroduced a constitutional amendment to overhaul state Senate districts in North Carolina. If passed, the amendment would appear on the ballot for the November 2026 general election. The proposal would give the General Assembly the power to decide which two counties would constitute each senatorial district.
Currently, Wake and Mecklenburg counties, the homes of Raleigh and Charlotte, respectively, are the state's most populous counties. Each county has six senators representing portions of the counties in the 2025-2026 legislative session. However, only one of these twelve lawmakers is a Republican. The proposed amendment would likely increase Republican representation in the upper chamber by assigning less populous counties with fewer constituents to different districts.
The amendment would also require districts to consist of "contiguous territory." This aspect of the proposal was criticised by Catawba College Professor of Politics and History Michael Bitzer as unconstitutional, as it would violate the 14th Amendment's Equal Protection of the Law and create population disparities between districts.
The motivation behind the amendment has been questioned. While some argue it is intended to drive Republican voter turnout, others claim it is necessary to prevent North Carolina cities or municipalities from passing ordinances allowing noncitizens to vote in local elections in the future.
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Union County school bonds
Voters in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, will decide on several ballot measures in the 2024 election. These include funding for schools, parks, roads, and libraries, totalling nearly $500 million.
Now, here is some detailed information about the Union County school bonds:
Union County residents will vote on November 5, 2024, on a bond referendum of nearly $40 million in school bonds. The bond package will address the aging facilities at Parkwood High School and East Union Middle School, which were built more than 60 years ago and are inadequate for modern-day teaching and learning. The funds will be used for pre-construction for a new Parkwood High School and a construction project to relocate East Union Middle School to the Forest Hills High School campus.
The bond is expected to cost around $8 per $100,000 of assessed property value, resulting in an annual increase in tax bills for homeowners. For example, a homeowner with a house valued at $400,000 can expect a tax bill increase of $32.
The Board of Education recommended these projects to the Union County Board of Commissioners (BOCC), who approved them for the 2024 bond referendum. Union County Public Schools aims to ensure that all students receive a quality education in safe and efficient learning environments. By investing in school improvements, the district can increase safety, support evolving educational practices, modernize aging facilities, and directly improve the quality of life in Union County.
If the bond is successful, more projects addressing capital needs and future bonds will be prioritised.
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Occupancy tax for Stallings residents
Voters in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, will decide on several ballot measures in the upcoming election. One of these measures pertains specifically to the town of Stallings, where residents will have the opportunity to vote on an occupancy tax referendum.
An occupancy tax is levied on guests staying in hotels, motels, and other lodging establishments within a town or city. The funds generated from this tax are designated specifically for travel and tourism promotion, as well as related expenditures, which may include certain park items. This type of tax is intended to support and enhance the local tourism industry and can be a significant source of revenue for the community.
The occupancy tax referendum for Stallings residents is a proposal to implement this tax in their town. If approved, guests staying in lodging establishments in Stallings will be subject to an additional tax on their accommodation expenses. The revenue generated from this tax will then be allocated towards initiatives that promote tourism and enhance the local travel experience. This could include marketing campaigns to attract visitors to Stallings, improvements to tourist attractions, or investments in infrastructure that supports the tourism industry.
The impact of the occupancy tax referendum could be significant for Stallings. By generating additional revenue from visitors, the town can reinvest those funds into making Stallings a more attractive and appealing destination. This could lead to increased tourism, creating a positive cycle of economic growth and development. However, it is essential to consider the potential impact on the cost of accommodation for guests and how this may influence their decision to visit Stallings.
The upcoming vote on the occupancy tax referendum gives Stallings residents a direct say in shaping the future of their town's tourism industry and local economy. By participating in the democratic process, residents can influence the direction of these initiatives and decide how best to utilize the potential revenue stream generated by the occupancy tax.
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Frequently asked questions
Mecklenburg County in North Carolina will see a citizen-only voting amendment on the ballot during the 2024 election. This amendment clarifies that only citizens of the United States who are 18 or older can vote.
The amendment aims to make it "absolutely clear" that only citizens can vote in federal elections, although it is already illegal for non-citizens to do so.
In 2025, GOP lawmakers proposed a constitutional amendment to overhaul state Senate districts, which, if passed, would appear on the ballot for the November 2026 general election.
Yes, voters in Mecklenburg County will also decide on funding measures for schools, parks, roads, and libraries, totaling nearly $500 million.
Yes, Union County residents will vote on school bonds worth nearly $40 million to address aging facilities at Parkwood High and East Union Middle Schools.
