Cambridge has a big election coming up on Tuesday, November 5, 2019. All nine City Council and six School Committee seats are on the ballot, and the City Council will then elect the mayor from amongst its own members. While the election is nonpartisan, the candidates come from all over Cambridge and have a variety of proposals for the many issues facing Cambridge. This election will be highly consequential for everyone at Harvard and in the greater Cambridge community.
One of the most salient issues this year is housing and development. Land use policy impacts the ability of Harvard community members and our neighbors to find homes. Beyond housing, Cambridge and especially Harvard Square is a hot spot for commercial development, and Harvard students hold close ties to local businesses like Crema Cafe, which shuttered in December. The Affordable Housing Zoning Overlay was a controversial proposal to address skyrocketing housing prices in Cambridge. While it ultimately was tabled by the current City Council, it could be brought up by the next alongside other proposals offered by candidates. Infrastructure developments like bike lanes have a significant impact on daily student life on campus.
Meanwhile, Cambridge voters are becoming increasingly concerned about climate change and sustainability. While candidates have a myriad of proposals and ideas, voters have a chance to decide which will be at the forefront of the Council’s agenda. Sustainability and combating climate change has risen as a primary issue for students, not only in the national political sphere but here in our local community as well.
From education to Harvard’s taxes, there are countless reasons why this election will impact the community regardless of whether or not you can vote in it. Voters can go to their polling places from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, but they should also encourage those around them to turn out.
Cambridge uses a ranked-choice ballot system. Rather than simply selecting a candidate, voters rank them in order of preference. There are 22 total candidates for nine City Council seats with eight incumbents in the race. Voters can rank up to their top 15 or just choose one. For School Committee, there are 11 candidates running for six spots. The City of Cambridge has posted sample ballots online, and the Cambridge Civic Journal Forum lists the slate of candidates and their platforms.
For Harvard, this is an opportunity to show Cambridge that it cares. From full-time faculty and staff to temporary students, they can all make their voices heard as residents of Cambridge. This election is a big deal. So Harvard, I’ll see you at the polls on Tuesday.
Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons / Tomruen