On Nov. 4, Mecklenburg County citizens will come together and vote on the proposed transportation sales tax. What is it, and what does it mean for college students?
For students who are interested in voting within the University area, voting sites include the Cone University Center on campus, the former University City Library at 5528 Waters Edge Village Drive and Newell Presbyterian Church at 1500 Rocky River Road W.
The Transportation Sales Tax
The transportation sales tax, also known as the transit tax, is a 1% sales and use tax intended to raise money to fund transit expansions and improvements in Mecklenburg County. The tax is part of the “Projects for Advancing Vehicle-Infrastructure Enhancements (PAVE) Act,” proposed by Republican Representative Tricia Cotham in the April 2025 State General Assembly. If passed, the tax will generate $19.4 billion in transit funds over 30 years.
How will the tax work?
The tax will raise the current Mecklenburg County sales and use tax rate from 7.25% to 8.25%. Essential goods, such as food, gas and medicine, are exempt from the tax, while non-essential goods, like technology, will be taxed.
Households should expect to spend $240 more per year, and low-income households $132 per year. Visitors to Mecklenburg County are expected to contribute 30% to the tax.
How is the money being spent?
The funds will be split between railroads, roads, buses and microtransit. 40%, or $7.8 billion each, will go to rail and roads, respectively. Rail projects will be focused on adding new railroad lines, such as the Red and Silver Line, and expanding the current Blue and Gold Line routes…