CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Black Political Caucus of Charlotte-Mecklenburg has officially endorsed the proposed one-percent transportation sales tax referendum, a move supporters say could add significant momentum to the campaign ahead of early voting.

The Black Political Caucus, a historic organization that has shaped Charlotte politics since the 1960s, voted with 63% support to back the measure. Chairperson Jocelyn Jones-Nolley said the referendum could improve daily life for riders, most of whom are African American.

“Ridership, the experience of ridership, will improve,” Jones-Nolley said. “There will be more frequent bus services. There will be micro transit options.”

Jones-Nolley said the group also sees opportunities for workforce access and education, including talks about free or reduced student fares. But, she emphasized that leaders must protect neighborhoods from being displaced if new rail lines expand.

“We still need to understand more about displacement and how that impacts some of the rails that go through African American communities and in all communities, right?” Jones-Nolley said.

If passed, the referendum is expected to raise $20 billion over several decades. 40% of funds would be dedicated to roads, another 40% to rail projects, such as the long-discussed Red Line, and 20% to bus improvements.

Advocates with Yes for Meck, the nonpartisan campaign supporting the referendum, say the investment is about creating connections.

“It’s an opportunity to make sure we are giving people in marginalized communities opportunities to get connected,” David Howard, a campaign volunteer, said. “That’s what transportation is about connecting people to jobs, to health care and to education.”

The endorsement comes as Charlotte City Council’s transportation workgroup provided an update on the proposed Metropolitan Public Transportation Authority, which would be formed if the sales tax passes.

The authority would oversee how funds are spent and be made up of 27 members, including two appointed by the mayor and seven by City Council. Council members James Mitchell, Ed Driggs and Lawana Mayfield, who make up the workgroup, said the board must reflect the diversity of the city and include actual transit riders.

“We are trying to determine the best skill set to make us the authority to represent the city,” Mitchell said. “And most importantly, we want to make sure we have riders on this authority.”

Driggs added that the board must be prepared to manage the scale of decisions ahead.

“You have to have people with résumés that make them competent to run a large organization,” Driggs said. “A lot of decisions are going to be made about choice of trains, financials and legal.”

Interest in the new authority is already strong. More than 70 people have applied for seats, with applications closing Oct. 13. Interviews are expected to begin Oct. 20. Some council members have said they want representation from across districts and a transparent selection process.

Supporters of the referendum argue that the stakes are high. The authority will be tasked with shaping Mecklenburg County’s transportation system for the next 50 years, from sidewalks and bike paths to buses and rail.

Governor Josh Stein has also endorsed the referendum, joining the Caucus and a growing coalition of civic, business and community groups.

Voters will decide whether to approve the one-percent sales tax, which would fund decades of transportation investments across Mecklenburg County.

Early voting in Mecklenburg County begins Thursday, Oct. 16 to Saturday, Nov. 1. 

Election day is Tuesday, November 4 from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. 

Contact Jesse Pierre at jpierrepet@wcnc.com or follow her on Facebook, X and Instagram.

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