Boston voters went to the polls for the preliminary municipal election on Tuesday, September 24.
Popular at-large city councilor Michelle Wu topped the ballot with the most votes and will appear on the November 5 ballot.
The race for the four at-large city councilor positions will see eight candidates on the November ballot. Along with Michelle Wu will be incumbents Annissa Essaibi-George, Althea Garrison and Michael Flaherty, as well as newcomers Julia Mejia, David Halbert, Erin Murphy and Alejandra Nicole St. Guillen.
Turnout was low with only around 11 percent and 44,972 people coming out to vote.
Boston resident Lisa Woodworth was not surprised by the light turnout. “It’s disappointing, but I can’t say I am surprised,” she said.
Woodworth said she didn’t see a lot of people at the polls and many of her Boston resident friends didn’t seem to know or care there was an election Tuesday.
“I wish more people would get involved,” she said.
Woodworth said she is most impressed by Wu as a candidate. “She seems to really care about the community,” she said. “The MBTA stuff troubles me and I am glad she is challenging them.”
District 1 councilor Lydia Edwards, who represents North End, Charlestown and East Boston, ran unopposed. The same was true for District 2 councilor Ed Flynn, District 3 councilor Frank Baker, and District 6 councilor Matt O’Malley. Because the top two contenders will appear on the November ballot, current District 4 councilor Andrea Campbell also advances to the November election with only one opponent, Jeff Durham.
Councilor Kim Janey, who represents District 7 (Roxbury and the South End), was the only current city councilor in the race who dealt with challengers. She gained more than 70 percent of the vote and will run against Roy Owens Sr., who gained 17 percent of the vote.
Councilors Tim McCarthy (District 5), Josh Zakim (District 8) and Mark Ciomoo (District 9) decided not to seek reelection this year, which means these three districts had all new candidates on the ballot. Those advancing from these districts are as follows:
District 5 – Eight candidates were on the Sept. 24 ballot and the two with the most votes who will advance are: Ricardo Arroyo and Maria Esdale Farrell.
District 8 – Five candidates were on the Sept. 24 ballot and the two with the most votes who will advance are: Priscilla Kenzie Bok and Jennifer Ann Nassour.
District 9 – Seven candidates were on the Sept. 24 ballot and the two with the most votes who will advance are: Craig Cashman and Liz A. Breadon.
The Municipal Election will take place on Tuesday, November 5, 2019. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
I don’t mind a low voter turnout. Most likely more informed voters. Quality over quantity.
That is ridiculous.
It is not ridiculous at all.
District 8 votes — Kenzie Bok and Jenn Nassour did not receive many votes per GLOBE, i.e., no advancement. They both received the least number of votes.