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This newsletter is 1,003 words, a 4-minute read.

With 23 days until early voting begins, today we're starting our series "Breaking Down the Ballot" to help you be ready to vote. We'll start at the very top of the ticket …

A staunch Trump ally and one of North Carolina's most recognizable Democrats are battling for the state's open U.S. Senate seat in a must-watch race nationally.

Why it matters: Currently held by Republican Sen. Thom Tillis, this seat could be crucial to determining whether Republicans maintain control of the Senate or the chamber flips to Democrats.

State of play: The showdown is between former Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper from Raleigh and Michael Whatley, the former Republican National Committee chair from Gastonia, who Trump handpicked to run.

• Whatley, 57, has never run for office himself but has led many other Republicans to victory. Now, as a candidate, he's trailing in the polls, struggling with name recognition. Fifteen percent of voters polled said they heard nothing at all about Whatley.
• Cooper, 69, is more widely known. Only 4% of those polled had heard nothing at all about Cooper. He was more in the public eye than a typical governor, holding regular news conferences at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic and issuing executive orders that affected nearly everyone's daily routine. That history has given Whatley ammo with voters who were opposed to the COVID stay-at-home orders.

Zoom in: This election is partly a test of Trump's appeal in North Carolina, with the president even telling supporters, "Pretend I'm on the ballot," while campaigning for Whatley at a recent rally in Gastonia. Trump's approval rating has fallen to 31% among North Carolinians surveyed by Elon, though the state voted for Trump in all three of his campaigns.

• The race has centered largely on the economy and public safety.
• Whatley says he supports Trump's mass deportations and has framed Cooper as the soft-on-crime candidate.
• Meanwhile, Cooper is running the "Make Stuff Cost Less" campaign, with proposals to reduce the costs of housing and groceries.

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Charlotte City Council voted 7-4 Monday night to restore support for the I-77 South toll lanes, with Malcolm Graham and Joi Mayo reversing their May votes against the project.

Why it matters: The vote clears a major obstacle for the multi-billion-dollar project, which will add 11 miles of tolls from the South Carolina state line to Uptown, after months of paused planning work.

Inside the room: Chants of "No More Tolls!" broke out at Monday night's meeting. Mayor Rob Harrington, no more than three months on the job, had several people removed from the chamber.

Catch up quick: Charlotte wants to avoid having to repay NCDOT for the tens of millions the agency says were spent on design work so far. After the city withdrew support for the project, the state legislature passed the repayment law.

• Also, NCDOT is promising "up to" $300 million in community investments, which could include grocery stores on the west side or recreational facilities.

What's next: The Charlotte Regional Transportation Planning Organization revotes Wednesday. Council member Ed Driggs will represent the City of Charlotte as the delegate and vote in favor of the project.

• Charlotte has the most power — 31 of 74 weighted votes — on the CRTPO.

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🛒 Another Wegmans may be in the works. The grocer confirmed it signed an agreement to purchase property next to Atrium Health Lake Norman, off Statesville and Westmoreland roads, near I-77. (Observer)

Jason Glunt, owner of Salud in NoDa, has pleaded guilty to nine felony counts of embezzling state property. (WFAE)

Atrium Health's proposed acquisition of WakeMed is moving forward after Wake County commissioners voted last night to back the deal (Axios Raleigh)

🚧 The Sam Wilson Road bridge is closing as the I-85/I-485 project enters its next phase, bringing new traffic impacts in west Charlotte. (WFAE)

🚲 Mecklenburg County has set the speed limit on all greenways at 20 mph. (WSOC)

🛒 Sprouts Farmers Market will open a store in Concord ( 8885 Christenbury Pkwy., Concord) on November 13, per a company spokesperson. The retailer will hold hiring events Sept. 29-30 and plans to hire 83 people for the new location. (Sprouts)

Runners can expect course changes to the Novant Health Charlotte Marathon in November.

Why it matters: This will be the first year of the race under new ownership. Organizers tell Axios they expect more than 13,000 people, a record number, to participate across the marathon, half marathon and 5K.

Catch up quick: The Charlotte Sports Foundation acquired the rights to the race in January.

What to expect: The biggest changes runners can expect will be around mile 7-8 and mile 24:

• The course now includes an East Boulevard section and less time on Morehead Street.
• On the back half, the course no longer includes a hill just before mile 24.

What's next: The Charlotte Marathon is Nov. 14.

Check out the course maps here

Calling all Charlotte singles! We're looking to highlight some of the city's most eligible daters in an upcoming Axios Charlotte story.

How it works: Fill out this short survey by Friday, Sept. 25, to be considered.

• All sexualities are encouraged to apply.

🏃‍♀️ Ashley, who has run the Charlotte Marathon a few times, had beef with the hill just before mile 24. Good luck to everyone training for this year's race.

🐶✈️ McKenzie hopes to meet Maverick, the newest addition to the canine crew at CLT.

🗳️ Alex wants you to forward this newsletter to a friend who crams before Election Day.

🌱 Melissa, who edited this newsletter, is really loving Oh My Soul's patio lately.