A Virtual Introduction

One single change I will push for that would drive more long-term benefit to the people of Charlotte than any other is electoral reform through the adoption of a preference voting system, such as Ranked Choice Voting(RCV) or approval voting. This would transform our municipal elections into a more inclusive, fair, and especially representative process, holding the candidates accountable to the voters and only the voters. Under our current system, candidates run against one or a handful of opponents, meaning the only objective is to beat those opponents. This incentivizes polarizing and vitriolic campaign messaging, which is clearly reflected in our contemporary political discourse. Further, it incentivizes candidates to cater to the requests of large donors, as the money poured into campaign coffers fuels successful re-elections. Voter concerns and real solutions are ignored.

Under a preference voting system, candidates are competing against themselves to win the favor of voters. Of course, under RCV systems they still compete for the highest position among the voters, but all the candidates that a voter likes will get some degree of vote support from that voter. Further, voters can support a candidate they might like better from a third party, or who carries the perception of a low likelihood of winning. Under the current system, voters are incentivized to choose “the lesser of two evils” because they are more afraid of the “other guy” winning than they are driven to see their favorite candidate win. This further motivates negative campaigning, discourages voter turnout, and amplifies polarization in a diverse city like ours. 

RCV reduces spoiler effects and encourages candidates to appeal to a wider electorate, boosting voter satisfaction without increasing costs. Minneapolis has employed RCV since 2009, leading to more diverse representation: the city council now includes higher numbers of women and people of color, with campaigns focusing on issues rather than attacks. They also have some of the lowest relative housing prices in the United States. 

Voter turnout rose by about 10% in some wards, and a FairVote study found 85% of residents preferred it over the old system. North Carolina has its own history with RCV: From 2007 to 2011, pilot programs in cities like Cary and Hendersonville showed it worked smoothly, with voters adapting quickly and winners gaining stronger mandates. Though repealed amid political shifts, groups like Better Ballot NC continue advocating for its return, highlighting its potential to empower Charlotte's growing, multifaceted community. Implementing RCV here will ensure every vote counts, reduce wasteful runoffs, and make Charlotte a model for democratic innovation. I'll collaborate with state legislators, local nonprofits, and voters to pilot RCV in city council races, then expand it citywide. Together, we'll build a system where leaders earn true majority support, fostering unity in our Queen City.

Housing costs are skyrocketing. The city's answer was to jack up property taxes at exorbitant rates, and earlier than planned. While $30 million of that money went to a billionaire's vanity project tennis courts, changes to restrictive zoning laws that are the root cause of this mess only happened at the request of developers who donate huge amounts to campaigns state-wide. 

Historical neighborhoods fell victim to developer intrusion losing all personality and tradition. And established neighborhoods contend with huge apartment complexes squeezed onto any inch of available land, taxing services, clogging traffic, and ignoring environmental impact. And insane occupational licensing restrictions combined with zoning laws make it impossible for people to open jobs near their homes.

The city has failed us. I will ensure that housing prices adjust at a reasonable rate relative to the market, and affordable housing exists for everyone, in all income brackets. 

Last year, the city government took $70,000 of our money to hire a consultant (Management review finds CATS needs a major overhaul (substack.com)), Management Partners, to review the Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS). In return for your $70,000, the city received a series of observations and recommendations so embarrassingly obvious that I would like volunteer myself for the next review. I'll do it for $20, and it will take a day. 

Among those observations:

• CATS is managed by two boards, one for policy and one for budget. One board can fire the CATS CEO, who reports to the City Manager, who is hired and fired by the other board. This creates "a confusing overlap of responsibilities." Ya' think? Only a government body could come up      with a structure like this.
• A lack of both engagement and transparency was referenced "quite a bit."
• Low morale is an issue.
• Wasted money, inadequate equipment, and concerns about passenger safety are      problems.

Of course, CATS should've known this given the three prior audits it had recently undergone that identified similar issues (Records: Charlotte had evidence of CATS shortcomings in months-old audits - Axios Charlotte). This is against a backdrop of a 70% drop in ridership since 2013. The city's answer? To seek another $13 billion to throw at a broken system. 

In the interest of full disclosure, I am relying on news reports to tell you what was in the review. The city spent $70,000 of our money on it, but they want you to spend another $12 a month to access it now (CATS Management Partners Review Dec. 2022 | PDF | Organizational Culture | Leadership (scribd.com)). I reached out to see if they would send a copy... stay tuned.

As mayor, I will immediately halt this nonsense. 

Charlotte has one of the highest crime rates in America compared to all communities of all sizes, with a crime rate of 42 per one thousand residents (Charlotte, NC Crime Rates and Statistics - NeighborhoodScout). The violent crime rate in Charlotte is 34.3 per 100,000 residents, which is significantly higher than the US average of 22.7 per 100,000 people (Crime in Charlotte, North Carolina (bestplaces.net)). Violent crime is down, year-over-year; while it is still unacceptably high, that's good news. But murder is up over 20 percent compared to the same period last year.
 

Hampered by serious staffing shortages (CMPD focuses efforts on recruiting, retaining officers | wcnc.com) the Charlotte Police Department is stretched thin, and the citizens are suffering, not just from an increased risk of being a victim, but increased 911 response times (CMPD Blames Ongoing Staffing Issues For Slower 911 Call Response Times - WCCB Charlotte's CW) when seconds can be the difference between life and death. The police union attributes the staffing shortages to low morale, calling for higher pay. The city responds by approving $8 million expenditures on things like military equipment and bomb trucks (Charlotte City Council approves three major purchases for CMPD (msn.com)).

The union also challenges the CMPD for spending money on initiatives that build trust between police and communities (Police union criticizes CMPD for customer-service training plan | Charlotte Observer) driving a wedge between the rank-and-file and the bosses. They seem to ignore the fact that adaptive policing policies that seek to foster resolution, not conflict, pay dividends (Mental health clinicians help CMPD officers keep people safe | Charlotte Observer).
 

The discord and conflict between parts of our city government is a theme, unfortunately, and it carries through to our mayor, who just recently promised reform to the CMPD (Harold Easter death: Charlotte mayor promises police reform | Charlotte Observer) - reform that was strangely lacking the last six years.
 

As mayor, I will help our police force transition to a true community-based approach. Cops will be respected because they will earn respect. In combination with my policies that will improve neighborhoods and foster economic prosperity, crime will decrease, and cops and civilians alike will reap the benefits.