Poll Position

While the still-far-away 2008 presidential election is getting all the attention, this November's general election is of great importance to Charlotte. In addition to the mayoral race between Republican incumbent Pat McCrory—who seeks his record seventh term—and his Democratic opponent, Beverly Earle, there’s more on the ballot.

Several city council and school board seats are up for grabs, and there's a large school bond initiative. And, of course, there's a referendum to repeal the half-cent transit tax that funds public transportation in Charlotte, including the operation of city buses, road improvements, and the budget-busting light-rail system.

But it's not a partisan issue—both mayoral candidates oppose the repeal. "If the transit tax is repealed it will transfer the entire burden of all our future transportation needs on the property-tax payer of Charlotte," McCrory says. And Earle agrees, saying the tax "is a fair way of paying for the buses and trains, which will move thousands of people around the city." See you at the polls on November 6.