Top Stories for Feb. 25, 2026

Voting Booths in a row.

Mecklenburg County provides this weekly rundown of top stories from the Board of County Commissioners meetings and the Public Information Department’s newsroom. The Board’s next budget and public policy meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, March 10 at 2:30 p.m. The agenda will be available online and the meeting can be viewed on MeckTV. 

 1. Last Day for Early Voting: More than 32,000 voters have already cast their ballot in Mecklenburg County during early voting for the 2026 Primary Election. The last day to vote early is Saturday, Feb. 28, at one of 19 sites across the county. Election Day is Tuesday, March 3, with voters determining races for U.S. Senate and House of Representatives; N.C. General Assembly, Supreme Court, and Court of Appeals; Mecklenburg Board of County Commissioners; Mecklenburg County Sheriff; and others. Voters are encouraged to check their registration before heading to the polls. During early voting, voters can register and vote the same day. The registration deadline to vote on Election Day, March 3, has passed. And don’t forget—voters need a photo ID to vote in North Carolina elections. Find more resources and information from the Board of Elections at Vote.MeckNC.gov. 

2. Stay Flood Safe: March 1-7 is Severe Weather Preparedness Week in Charlotte-Mecklenburg. Flooding is the area’s biggest threat, so residents are encouraged to know the four steps to stay flood safe:  

  • Know your risk of flooding.
  • Create an emergency plan.
  • Build a kit with items the household may need.
  • Stay safe and informed. 

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Storm Water Services and the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Emergency Management Office will be available on Monday, March 2 at 10 a.m. at the Emergency Operations Center to address severe weather, flood safety tips, and how to sign up for emergency notifications. 

3. From Textile Mills to Bank Buildings: The Historic Landmarks Department will explore the impact of cotton mills and the stories of textile workers during a book discussion of “Like a Family: The Making of a Southern Cotton Mill World” on Thursday, Feb. 26. The detailed oral history will offer a deeper look into an industry that transformed the South and led to the evolution of Charlotte-Mecklenburg as a financial center. Approximately 18 of these mills still exist in Mecklenburg County, with many of them preserved and adaptively reused as restaurants, retail, and housing. 

4. Prove What’s Possible: Saturday, Feb. 28, is the last day to register for the 2026 Mecklenburg County Senior Games and SilverArts. The Olympic-style competition will run from March to May 2026, promoting health and wellness for people ages 50 and older. Hosted by Park and Recreation, the competitions feature more than 50 individual and team sports and arts events. Athletic events include bowling, cycling, golf, swimming, track and field events, backyard games such as cornhole, horseshoes and bocce, and racket events such as tennis, badminton and pickleball. SilverArts celebrates the creative expression of seniors through literary arts, visual arts, performing arts, heritage arts, and cheerleading. 

5. 2,404 Neighbors in Need: Mecklenburg County has released the 2025 State of Housing Instability and Homelessness (SoHIH) Report. The annual report addresses homelessness, housing instability, and stably housed people. The report found that low-cost rental housing is disappearing while the number of cost-burdened renters continues to increase. Homelessness continues to impact thousands of residents each year—as of June 2025, there were 2,404 people experiencing homelessness in Mecklenburg County, down 14% from last year. But the number of people experiencing homelessness for the first time in 2024 increased 11%. Plus, high rent and lack of affordable housing make racial and economic inequalities worse.