Cambridge Candidate Pages – 2023 RSS

Cambridge, Massachusetts Municipal Election - Tuesday, November 7, 2023

In Cambridge's proportional representation (PR) elections, you may vote for as many candidates as you please, but you must rank your choices. Give a #1 rank to your top choice, a #2 rank to your next choice, etc. Ranking additional candidates will never hurt your top choice(s). If you assign the same rank to more than one candidate, none of those candidates will receive your vote. To prevent this, incorrectly cast ballots will be rejected and returned to you for correction. This way every vote will count as intended. Please read as much as you can about all of the candidates and make an informed choice. Election Day is Tuesday, November 7, 2023.

[Where do I vote?]     [Polling Locations List (2023)]     [Polling Locations Map (2023)]

[Calendar: 2023 Campaign Event Listings and Candidate Forums]     Send all updates (candidates, events) to election2023@cambridgecivic.com.


Candidates for Cambridge City Council (24 candidates for 9 seats)

[Last updated: Oct 31]   Click on the candidate and page will open in a separate window.

Ayah Al-Zubi, City Council candidate
Ayah Al-Zubi

2B Dodge St., 02139
(new candidate)
Burhan Azeem, City Council candidate
Burhan Azeem

96 Berkshire St., 02141
incumbent
elected
Doug Brown, City Council candidate
Doug Brown

35 Standish St., 02138
(new candidate)
John Hanratty, City Council candidate
John Hanratty

15 Mt. Vernon St. #7, 02140
(new candidate)
Peter Hsu, City Council candidate
Peter Hsu

70 Gore St. #2, 02141
(new candidate)
Adrienne Klein, City Council candidate
Adrienne Klein

7 Beech St. #308, 02140
(new candidate)
Marc McGovern, City Council candidate
Marc C. McGovern

17 Pleasant St., 02139
incumbent
elected
Joe McGuirk, City Council candidate
Joe McGuirk

314 Columbia St. #1, 02141
(ran in 2021)
Gregg Moree, City Council candidate
Gregg J. Moree

25 Fairfield St., 02140
(ran in 2021)
Federico Muchnik, City Council candidate
Federico Muchnik

82 Richdale Ave., 02140
(new candidate)
Patty Nolan, City Council candidate
Patricia M. Nolan

184 Huron Ave., 02138
incumbent
elected
Carrie Pasquarello, City Council candidate
Carrie Pasquarello

230 Upland Rd., 02140
(new candidate)
Joan Pickett, City Council candidate
Joan Pickett

59 Ellery St. #1, 02138
(new candidate)
elected
Frantz Pierre, City Council candidate
Frantz Pierre

22 Water Street #808, 02141
(ran in 2021)
Sumbul Siddiqui, City Council candidate
Sumbul Siddiqui

283 Sidney St. #3, 02139
incumbent
elected
Denise Simmons, City Council candidate
E. Denise Simmons

188 Harvard St. #4B, 02139
incumbent
elected
Jivan Sobrinho-Wheeler, City Council candidate
Jivan Sobrinho-Wheeler

187 Brookline St. #3, 02139
(defeated in 2021)
elected
Paul Toner, City Council candidate
Paul F. Toner

24 Newman St., 02140
incumbent
elected
Dan Totten, City Council candidate
Dan Totten

54 Bishop Allen Dr. #2, 02139
(new candidate)
Vernon K. Walker, City Council candidate
Vernon K. Walker

165 Main St. #1205, 02142
(new candidate)
Hao Wang, City Council candidate
Hao Wang

1 Longfellow Rd., 02138
(new candidate)
Ayesha Wilson, School Committee candidate
Ayesha Wilson

15 Concord Ave., 02138
SC incumbent
elected
Robert Winters, City Council candidate
Robert Winters

366 Broadway, 02139
(new candidate)
Catherine Zusy, City Council candidate
Catherine Zusy

202 Hamilton St., 02139
(new candidate)
 

Recently updated: Siddiqui update (Oct 31); Pasquarello video added (Oct 25), Peter Hsu update (Oct 20); Carrie Pasquarello update (Oct 19); Doug Brown update (Oct 18 - sorry for the delay!); Pages w/o updates for 2023 noted (Oct 17); Patty Nolan page updated (Oct 17); Walker video link added (Oct 3); Hanratty update (Oct 1); new Winters pic (thanks, George!) (Sept 29); Doug Brown photos and contact info added (Sept 28); Simmons video link added (Sept 28); Totten video link added (Sept 26); Toner updates (Sept 24); Winters “priorities and concerns” added (Sept 23); Peter Hsu pic/info added (Sept 21); Muchnik website and contact info added (Sept 21); Al-Zubi video link added (Sept 21); Winters pic updated (Sept 19); Sobrinho-Wheeler page updated (Sept 18); CCTV video links added for McGuirk, Wilson, Siddiqui (Sept 13); Simmons website updated (Aug 10); Added CCTV video links for Zusy, McGovern, Nolan, Hanratty, Muchnik, Pasquarello, Azeem, and Klein (Sept 8); Winters updates (Sept 7); Wilson updates/pic (Sept 6); Pasquarello website added (Sept 1): Winters updates (Aug 31); Muchnik updates (Aug 30); Zusy page updated (Aug 29); Wang updates (Aug 25); Zusy updates/pic (Aug 21); problematic links removed from Moree page (Aug 21); Klein update (Aug 21); Muchnik update (Aug 18); Muchnik page/pic (Aug 17); Winters page/pics updates (Aug 15); McGuirk page update (Aug 13); Al-Zubi info/picture (Aug 12); Hanratty page/picture (Aug 12); Azeem page (Aug 11); Totten page/picture (Aug 10); Winters page/picture (Aug 9); Walker page/picture (Aug 6); Pickett page/picture (Aug 6); added photos, contact and other info for several candidates (Aug 3).


Candidates for Cambridge School Committee (11 candidates for 6 seats)

[Last updated: Oct 20]   Click on the candidate and page will open in a separate window.

Alborz Bejnood, School Committee candidate
Alborz Bejnood

166 Auburn St., Apt B, 02139
(new candidate)
Richard Harding, School Committee candidate
Richard Harding, Jr.

189 Windsor St. #1, 02139
(former SC member)
elected
Elizabeth Hudson, School Committee candidate
Elizabeth Hudson

236 Walden St., 02140
(new candidate)
elected
Caroline Hunter, School Committee candidate
Caroline M. Hunter

23 Rockwell St., 02139
incumbent
elected
Andrew King, School Committee candidate
Andrew King

71 Chilton St., 02138
(new candidate)
Frantz Pierre, School Committee candidate
Frantz Pierre

22 Water Street #808, 02141
(also pulled papers for City Council)
Jose Luis Rojas Villarreal, School Committee candidate
José Luis Rojas Villarreal

19 Cornelius Way, 02141
incumbent
elected
Eugenia Schraa, School Committee candidate
Eugenia Schraa Huh

259 Washington St., 02139
(new candidate)
Robert V. Travers, Jr., School Committee candidate
Robert V. Travers, Jr.

54 Fulkerson St., 02141
(new candidate)
David J. Weinstein, School Committee candidate
David J. Weinstein

45 S. Normandy Ave., 02138
incumbent
elected
Rachel B. Weinstein, School Committee candidate
Rachel B. Weinstein

60 Standish St. #1, 02138
incumbent
elected
 

Recently updated: Harding website, email updated; Pages w/o updates for 2023 noted (Oct 17); Alborz Bejnood photos added (Oct 15); Modified Hudson text (Oct 12); Elizabeth Hudson info/photos added (Oct 7); Elizabeth Hudson photos added (Oct 5); I'll be clearing out some of the Candidate Pages soon of material from candidates who have only material from past elections; previous Harding information purged, updates to follow (Oct 3); Harding link fixed (Sept 25); Hudson video link added (Sept 21); CCTV video link add for King (Sept 19); José Luis Rojas Villarreal page updated (Sept 17); Elizabeth Hudson info/pic added (Sept 15); Eugenia Schraa Huh info/pic added (Sept 15); CCTV video link added for Eugenia Schraa Huh (Sept 13); Added CCTV video links for R. Weinstein, D. Weinstein, Hunter (Sept 8); Andrew King updates/pic (Sept 1); Bobby Travers updates/pic (Aug 25); Rachel Weinstein updates (Aug 23); Updated David Weinstein page (Aug 11); photos and contact information updated as they arrive.


2023 Campaign Event Listings and Candidate Forums     [Updates welcome]
[Note: There is a strict non-discrimination policy. Only events open to the general public (with or without RSVP) will be listed.]


2021 Election Information [for reference and comparison]

2021 Campaign Event Listings and Candidate Forums
[Note: There is a strict non-discrimination policy. Only events open to the general public (with or without RSVP) will be listed.]

2021 Ballot Question Information (includes arguments for and against)

Cambridge’s 2021 ballot questions explained: Here’s what you need to know (Oct 14, 2021, Cambridge Chronicle)

Sequential list of who pulled nomination papers in 2021 for City Council or School Committee

Map of Drop Box and Early Voting Locations (2021)    List of Election Day Polling Locations (2021)


Voting by Proportional Representation (PDF derived from official City brochure)

Voting by Proportional Representation (HTML derived from official City brochure)

Voting by Proportional Representation (Flash version derived from official City brochure - click or grab corner to turn page)

Voting by Proportional Representation (rescaled Flash version derived from official City brochure - click or grab corner to turn page)

Supplemental notes on the Cambridge PR elections (modified Sept 7, 2013)

An example - 2003 City Council election graphs round-by-round (PDF)

Official 2023 Cambridge Municipal Election Calendar (and advice for candidates)

Please Note: Potential changes to voter registration, early voting, etc. may require revisions.

Mon, July 3:

Municipal Election Nomination Papers available at Election Commission office.

City SealNomination papers for City Council and School Committee will be available beginning Monday, July 3 at the Election Commission office, 51 Inman Street, Cambridge. The office will be open on Monday, July 3 from 8:30am until 8:00pm. The deadline to file nomination papers is Monday, July 31 at 5:00pm. When visiting the Election Commission office please use the side entrance located on Inman Place until further notice. The 2023 Municipal Election Calendar is posted on the Commission’s website.

The requirements to run for City Council or School Committee are:

1. The person must be a registered voter in Cambridge. To register, one must be 18 years of age by Election Day, a U.S. citizen and a resident in the City of Cambridge.

2. The person must file no fewer than fifty (50) and no more than one hundred (100) certifiable signatures of registered voters in the City of Cambridge.

The Commission has prepared an information kit for candidates containing important dates, Commission policies, services, and publications. The kits will be available with the nomination papers on July 3.

Election Day is Tuesday, November 7, 2023.

Nomination papers will be available through the July 31 submission deadline, but it is advisable that a candidate pick up papers early and get started collecting signatures. The process is an excellent way for a new candidates to “get their feet wet” and acclimate to the process of asking for support. ALL pages of your nomination papers must be notarized and there are a total of three sheets. You will also want to get a current database of registered voters. This is available from the Election Commission free of charge to any candidate who has pulled nomination papers. Voter history files and the street listing are also available.

Mon, July 31:

5:00pm deadline to submit nomination papers & statements of financial interest for candidates.

A minimum of 50 valid signatures must be filed and a candidate may submit up to 100 signatures. Once a voter's signature has been recorded for a particular candidate, it cannot be used for another candidate in the same race. That is, a voter should sign for exactly one candidate for City Council and one candidate for School Committee. Candidates should submit as many signatures as possible over the minimum of 50 because it is very likely that some signatures will not be certified. It is advisable that all signatures be checked against the voter registration list before submitting them. Candidates do not have to submit all their signatures at one time, and it is advisable that signatures be submitted as each sheet becomes full. The Election Commission staff traditionally checks signatures soon after they are submitted, so it is possible to know how many signatures have been tentatively certified in case it is necessary to obtain more signatures to reach the minimum of 50 certified signatures. Actual certification is only official when the Election Commission votes to approve them.

Mon, Aug 14: 5:00pm deadline for Election Commission to certify signatures on nomination papers.
Wed, Aug 16: 5:00pm deadline for municipal candidates to file withdrawal of nomination.
Sat, Oct 28: 5:00pm deadline to register to vote in municipal election. In person registration hours are 9:00am to 5:00pm at Election Commission office. (Mail in registration must be postmarked by Oct 28).
Sat, Oct 28
  - Fri, Nov 3
:

In-Person Early Voting. Any registered voter can vote early. Unlike Election Day, you are not assigned to a polling location during the early voting period. You can go to any of the three (3) Cambridge early voting locations during the times designated below. The Election Commission office at 51 Inman Street will NOT be an early voting location for this election.

  • Cambridge Water Department - 250 Fresh Pond Parkway
  • Main Library - 449 Broadway
  • Valente Library - 826 Cambridge Street, side entrance on Berkshire Street
Sat, Oct 28 Sun, Oct 29 Mon, Oct 30 Tues, Oct 31 Wed, Nov 1 Thurs, Nov 2 Fri, Nov 3
9:00am-3:00pm 9:00am-3:00pm 8:30am-8:00pm 8:30am-5:00pm 8:30am-5:00pm 8:30am-5:00pm 8:30am-12:00pm
Mon, Oct 30:

Deadline for School Committee candidates and Political Committees to file Municipal Campaign & Political Finance Reports. (City Council candidates should consult their OCPF packets regarding depository-filing requirements).

City Council candidates are required under state law to set up a depository account at a bank. The bank will report all deposits and expenditures directly to the state's Office of Campaign and Political Finance (OCPF). School Committee candidates are not required to set up a depository account, but they must file a campaign finance report in mid-October and at the end of the year.

Tues, Oct 31: 5:00pm deadline to apply for absentee ballot by mail.
Mon, Nov 6: Noontime (12:00pm) deadline to apply for absentee ballot for over-the-counter voting.
Tues, Nov 7:

Municipal Election. Polls are open 7:00am until 8:00pm.
All vote-by-mail ballots (except Overseas Absentee Ballots) must arrive at the Election Commission office by 8:00pm to be counted. Ballot count begins at Senior Center, 806 Massachusetts Avenue, Central Square after the polls close. Overseas Absentee Ballots are due by 5:00pm on Friday, Nov 17, but must be postmarked by Nov 7.

It is expected that the Election Commission will report preliminary election results Tuesday evening (Nov 7), but this tally does not include auxiliary ballots (write-in ballots and other ballots not yet counted for a variety of reasons). These will be scanned and tabulated on Wednesday. Unofficial election results are expected to be announced on Wednesday when all of the auxiliary ballots have been included. The official election results will not be complete until any overseas absentee ballots and provisional ballots have been included on Fri, Nov 7.

Wed, Nov 8: 9:00am-5:00pm. Ballot count resumes at Senior Center, 806 Massachusetts Avenue, Central Square.
Thurs, Nov 9: 9:00am-5:00pm. Ballot count resumes at Senior Center, 806 Massachusetts Avenue, Central Square. (additional day)
Fri, Nov 17: Overseas Absentee Ballots and Provisional Ballots will be counted at 5:00pm.

In-person early voting and drop box locations and hours are posted online at www.cambridgema.gov/election and will be available at the Election Commission Office.

Regular Election Commission Office Hours: (Unless otherwise indicated)
Mondays: 8:30am to 8:00pm
Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays: 8:30am to 5:00pm
Fridays: 8:30am to Noon
Holidays: The Election Commission will be closed for the following holidays:
Independence Day - Tuesday, July 4
Labor Day - Monday, September 4
Indigeonous Peoples/Columbus Day - Monday, October 9

2023 Official Municipal Election Calendar

Recently Updated: Early Voting Dates, Times, Locations


2023 Candidate Videos (CCTV)

MCNA City Council Candidate Forum (2021)

PSNA City Council Candidate Forum (2021)

Harvard Crimson - 2021 City Council
Election Guide

Candidates: Send all updates to election2023@cambridgecivic.com.
[Any submitted photos should be relatively recent and actually resemble the candidate.]

There will be no endorsements on the Candidate Pages - just the information provided by the candidates. Links to other pages will be added when clarification of topics is warranted. Volunteers willing to write about specific topics and do some fact checking are very welcome.

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Site last updated Tuesday, November 21, 2023 2:58 PM

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