As election day approaches, many city council candidates rigorously promote their campaigns. Each autumn-dusted home becomes incomplete without a makeshift lawn sign promoting the resident’s chosen political contender. Cambridge unites on November 7th to elect city councilmen for the following two years, and with over 24 candidates and only nine open seats, the upcoming 2023 election promises a cut-throat competition for a position within the council.
In Cambridge, the city council is responsible for both orchestrating and amending citywide laws and ratifying yearly budgets. Their decisions affect the majority of Cantabridgians, as their conclusions shape the city’s monetary distribution and funding, playing a vital role in the city’s blossoming community.
Each term, out of the nine elected individuals, a mayor is voted amongst the group by the city council as a collective. Over the past two years, the city council has strived to make Cambridge a progressive, equitable, and healthy environment for all citizens. Taxpayers are eager to take the polls in the nearing election, as local voting is an opportunity to amplify their needs and have their opinions heard.
Cambridge resident Praveen Prasanna expressed their outlook on the impending elections, sharing with the Register Forum that, “…the safeguard to your rights is to vote, [and] local elections have the greatest day to day impact on our lives.” The inclination to create an impact and encourage change is what drives most voters to cast their ballot.
Young community members at CRLS are enthusiastic about the election, as city council decisions affect the Cambridge Public School District proportionally. Student Lucia Mindell ’26 expressed that she “recognized there was an upcoming election based on the abundant amount of campaign posters around town.” Mindell continued, articulating that “it is important for students to care about local politics, not only because it’s beneficial and important to know what’s going on in communities around you, but also because adulthood means being aware of the world, and knowing how to positively contribute.” This belief system often resonates within the high school community, as many students are involved with programs or campaigns that benefit their environment.
Patricia M. Nolan, candidate and an incumbent member of the city council, expresses what drove her to run for reelection. “After serving on the School Committee, and pushing for higher standards for all students, I wanted to work on issues of climate, development, housing and community,” Nolan told the Register Forum. “I always seek to make things better and make things happen, and do what is best for the city and residents as a whole, regardless of the political cost.”
Analogously, new candidate Joan Pickett shares a similar narrative. “I appreciate the value of authentic community input, the ability to listen and collaborate with residents and businesses. […] It will be my job to represent all Cambridge voters, not just select groups and to be open-minded to new information, ideas, and others’ perspectives.”
Voting day embodies much importance within Cambridge, and the nine individuals elected to fill the available positions hold great responsibility and relevance within the community. The city council polls this November represent positive change and relentless local drive.
This article also appears in our October 2023 print edition.
