If you only show up for presidential years, you’re missing where a lot of real life in Lake Norman gets decided. Local elections shape what we drive on, how we get around, where we gather, and how our towns grow. Zoning, sidewalks and greenways, small-business climate, public safety, parks—these aren’t cable-news topics, they’re Tuesday-afternoon realities.

This year, Mecklenburg County voters are weighing a proposed 1¢ sales tax dedicated to transportation—roads, rail, and bus/micro-transit. Supporters see it as a long-overdue funding stream to unclog bottlenecks, widen key corridors, and advance projects like the Red Line. Skeptics worry about the cost burden (especially on lower and middle incomes) and whether agencies can deliver on schedule and on budget. Reasonable people can disagree; what matters is that you get informed and make a choice.

To help you do that, we hosted a respectful, point-counterpoint conversation on Good Morning LKN with community voices who know the history and the numbers. If you care about West Catawba backups, safer intersections, town connectivity, or how our region plans for growth, it’s worth a listen.

Bottom line: local ballots aren’t background noise—they’re the blueprint for the next decade on and around the lake. Read up, talk to your neighbors, and then go make your voice count.

Want more context? Catch our recent discussion on Good Morning LKN and hear both sides lay out their case.

(For voting details and official information, visit your county elections website.)