The Election Looks Close - Get Out and Vote!

The Dorchester Reporter

Voters who vote now get their chance to help steer the city toward its future

By Bill Walczak, Reporter Columnist

September 8, 2021

It’s coming down to the wire for Boston’s preliminary election, though absentee and early voting are now in effect. It is called a “preliminary” election, rather than a primary, because it is non-partisan, which means that a candidacy is determined by getting 3,000 valid signatures from Boston voters for a spot on the ballot, as opposed to a primary, in which candidates run against each other by political party, such as in state and federal elections, and the winners face each other in the general election.

The preliminary election will winnow down the seven candidates for mayor to two final candidates, the 17 candidates for city council-at large to eight, and the district city council candidates to two final candidates per district.

In November, we will vote for one candidate for mayor, four for city council at-large, and one district councillor, and the candidates with the highest number of votes in each category will become mayor or city councillor.

The five top mayoral candidates will be spending whatever money they have left on television and social media advertising, strengthening get-out-the-vote operations through door knocking, texting and telephoning, to which we can add Super PAC (Political Action Committee) dollars supporting each candidate. It will be virtually impossible to avoid hearing about the election between now and the 14th.

Political pundits are excited that the election looks close, with Michelle Wu solidly in first place in all polls, and three candidates — Kim Janey, Annissa Essaibi George, and Andrea Campbell— all close enough to win second place, which would punch their ticket to the November general election.

The pundits are making their predictions on who gets second place based on how many registered voters actually vote. As a result, most are saying that any of the three could win second place.

The general perspective is that a low turnout election (fewer than a third of registered voters casting a vote) will favor the candidate who favors the least change, which is generally seen to be Annissa Essaibi George.

The Boston Globe’s editorial board said last week that “Essaibi George enjoys the tacit support of police unions, but bristles at the suggestion that she’s the status-quo candidate in the race; if she makes the final, she will need to convince voters why that label is as unfair as she says it is.”

Low turnout voters are defined as people who always vote, who are generally older, white, middle class homeowners, and more likely to be police or other government employees. Recent Boston preliminary elections for mayor have typically been low turnout, with recent election vote tallies ranging from 55,791 in 2017 to 113,319 in 2013.

Observers say that high turnout elections often lead to more change, as these voters are not necessarily wed to the status quo. On Sept. 3, the Globe endorsed Campbell for mayor, describing her this way: “She radiates a sense of urgency, a palpable hunger to confront Boston’s hardest, most politically fraught challenges.”

In the modern era, the highest turnout for a preliminary election was in 1983, where an open seat for mayor and the transformation from an at large city council to a hybrid system of 4 at large and 9 district city councilors resulted in 166,716 voters casting ballots. This occurred despite the city’s population being nearly 20 percent lower than today’s Boston.

The future of the city is on the line, from management of basic services to whether our schools improve, to how we handle Covid and global warming, and how development happens in our neighborhoods. Boston is blessed with a robust economy that has produced tax revenue capable of solving many of our problems. What it needs is the leadership to make it happen.

Based on past preliminary mayoral races, each voter who casts a vote will be representing at least two other registered voters who skip voting. That’s a big responsibility. So what will it be, Boston? The city’s future is in your hands.

Bill Walczak is a Dorchester resident who ran for Mayor in 2013. He has publicly endorsed Andrea Campbell for Mayor.

Support your local newspaper!. Subscribe or donate to The Dorchester Reporter at www.dotnews.com.

Bill Walczak articles and other related media offerings

“The more voters there are, the better for all of us” August 26, 2021

https://conta.cc/3ymdSsE

“Questions for mayoral hopefuls on development” July 15, 2021 https://conta.cc/2UDSvoJ

“City should reclaim historic open space at Franklin Park” July 1, 2021

https://conta.cc/2TrZCjD or https://www.dotnews.com/2021/commentary-city-should-reclaim-historic-open-space-franklin-park

“Commentary: Candidates' direct answers to queries can carry the day” June 10, 2021

Dorchester Reporter https://www.dotnews.com/2021/commentary-candidates-direct-answers-queries-can-carry-day or https://conta.cc/3ghjtuk

“The Codman Square Story: Where ‘nonprofit innovation’ wins the day” June 3, 2021 Dorchester Reporter https://www.dotnews.com/2021/codman-square-story-where-nonprofit-innovation-wins-day or https://conta.cc/3fUcM16

“Commentary: How reading a book brings me back to my work on the Irish peace process” May 13, 2021 Dorchester Reporter https://www.dotnews.com/2021/commentary-how-reading-book-brings-me-back-my-work-irish-peace-process or https://conta.cc/3wgaSNO

“Let’s think trees as part of cleanup of the X-Way mess” April 22, 2021.

Dorchester Reporter https://conta.cc/3xkNQqr

“Insult to injury: State property in Dorchester littered with trash” April 15, 2021. Dorchester Reporter https://www.dotnews.com/2021/insult-injury-state-property-dorchester-littered-trash or https://conta.cc/3aiVWWv

“Commentary: It's a race to the finish line--don't let Covid catch you” March 31, 2021 https://conta.cc/31y6e0ror https://www.dotnews.com/2021/commentary-its-race-finish-line-dont-let-covid-catch-you

“Walczak: use federal funds to make Boston a hub of equity” March 24, 2021 https://conta.cc/3fbB3Qk

“A year later, what have we learned?” March 11, 2021 https://conta.cc/30CcJyx

“Derek Chauvin proves America is still hiring the exact wrong people to be cops” by Frank Figliuzzi, MSNBC Columnist, extensive quotes of “Reimagining the city’s police force: Begin with the hiring” column from June 18, 2020 https://www.msnbc.com/opinion/derek-chauvin-proves-america-still-hiring-exact-wrong-people-be-n1259960

“With Boston flush with new US money, how about setting up universal Pre-K?”

March 4, 2021 https://conta.cc/38fVbwB

A teacher’s mural and drawings enrich Dorchester February 18, 2021

https://conta.cc/3uqh9GG https://www.dotnews.com/2021/teachers-murals-and-drawings-enrich-epiphany-schools-campus

“Reading the Globe then (1981) and now shows how democracy has been curbed” February 11, 2021 https://conta.cc/3d725r7 https://www.dotnews.com/2021/reading-globe-then-1981-and-now-shows-how-democracy-has-been-curbed

“We need a plan to speed up vaccinations; the following is one approach to consider”

February 4, 2021 https://www.dotnews.com/2021/we-need-plan-speed-vaccinations-following-one-approach-consider

Interview on BNN: What’s needed to close gap on vaccinations January 28, 2021 https://youtu.be/QqSXZDG9Vok

Interview on WGBH on Covid vaccine problems January 27, 2021

https://www.wgbh.org/news/local-news/2021/01/27/we-have-to-make-sure-that-we-dont-miss-any-opportunities-to-get-that-vaccine-into-the-arms-of-people-local-community-health-leader-says

“We need to lead, not follow, on doing mass vaccinations” January 21, 2021

https://www.dotnews.com/2021/commentary-we-need-lead-not-follow-doing-mass-vaccinations

“In the Wake of Trumpian seditionists, our region can lead the nation by example” January 14, 2021 https://conta.cc/35OqEVj

“Remembering a Friend who Died of Covid” December 31, 2020

https://www.dotnews.com/2021/remembering-friend-who-died-covid

“On the Allure of People Singing Together” December 16, 2020

https://www.dotnews.com/2020/allure-people-singing-together

“Strolling down Dot Ave. and shopping the world”

December 3, 2020 with Meg Campbell

https://www.dotnews.com/2020/strolling-down-dot-ave-and-shopping-world

“Opinion: Let’s think more about parkways and bikes, and less about the dreams of the auto-centric” December 2, 2020 https://www.dotnews.com/2020/opinion-let-s-think-more-about-parkways-and-bikes-and-less-about

“Good News on COVID but we’re still on a highway – don’t take your seatbelts off yet”

November 18, 2020 https://www.dotnews.com/2020/commentary-good-news-covid-scene-were-still-highway-dont-take-your

“Thoughts about a still-divided America” November 11, 2020

https://www.dotnews.com/2020/thoughts-about-still-divided-america

“This is the Man who wants a second term?” October 29, 2020

https://www.dotnews.com/2020/man-who-wants-second-term

“Put this on your Boston bucket list: Stepping into The Ether Dome at MGH”

October 22, 2020

https://www.dotnews.com/2020/put-your-boston-bucket-list-stepping-ether-dome-mgh

“Our polarized country needs changes in the way our elections are conducted”

October 14, 2020 https://www.dotnews.com/2020/commentary-our-polarized-country-needs-changes-way-our-elections-are

“Why Ranked-Choice Voting Makes Sense” October 8, 2020

https://www.dotnews.com/2020/why-ranked-choice-voting-makes-sense

"Massachusetts must fill funding gap for low-income students"

Dorchester Reporter September 24, 2020 https://www.dotnews.com/2020/massachusetts-must-fill-funding-gap-low-income-students

"Rev. "Doc" Conway sounds an alarm"

Dorchester Reporter September 9, 2020

https://www.dotnews.com/2020/rev-doc-conway-sounds-alarm

"Call it What you Will, but single-payer health care is what we need"

Dorchester Reporter September 3, 2020 https://www.dotnews.com/2020/call-it-what-you-will-single-payer-health-care-what-we-need

"How a 1976 Dorchester Court program has helped to keep our parklands clean"

Dorchester Reporter August 27, 2020

https://www.dotnews.com/2020/how-1976-dorchester-court-program-has-helped-keep-our-parklands-clean

"Timely test results are critical to curbing viral spread"

Dorchester Reporter August 20, 2020

https://www.dotnews.com/2020/commentary-timely-test-results-are-critical-curbing-viral-spread

"Science opens a door for getting students back into schools"

Dorchester Reporter July 22, 2020

http://www.dotnews.com/2020/science-opens-door-getting-students-back-schools

“How to increase turnout in Boston elections: Eliminate our odd-numbered year balloting”

Dorchester Reporter July 16, 2020

https://www.dotnews.com/2020/how-increase-turnout-boston-elections-eliminate-our-odd-numbered-year

“Inaction on fireworks prompts many questions”

Dorchester Reporter July 9, 2020

https://www.dotnews.com/2020/letter-editor-explosives-create-war-zone-feel-neighborhood

“The virology podcast TWIV has become an essential source for COVID-19 news”

Dorchester Reporter July 2, 2020

https://www.dotnews.com/2020/virology-podcast-twiv-has-become-essential-source-covid-19-news

“Commentary: Hold on! Reopening doesn’t mean that coronavirus is gone”

Dorchester Reporter June 25, 2020

https://www.dotnews.com/2020/commentary-hold-reopening-doesn-t-mean-coronavirus-gone

“Reimagining the city’s police force: Begin with the hiring”

Dorchester Reporter June 18, 2020

https://www.dotnews.com/2020/reimagining-citys-police-force-begin-hiring

“The making of the people’s health center. Getting things done in Codman Square”

Dorchester Reporter June 4, 2020

https://www.dotnews.com/2020/making-people-s-health-center

“Strong action needed now to avert more educational woes across state”

Dorchester Reporter May 28, 2020

https://www.dotnews.com/2020/opinion-strong-action-needed-now-avert-more-educational-woes-across

“Is keeping seniors locked in the best that society can do?”

Dorchester Reporter May 21, 2020

https://www.dotnews.com/2020/keeping-seniors-locked-down-best-we-can-do

“Boomers being left out? Readers offer their views”

Dorchester Reporter May 14, 2020

https://www.dotnews.com/2020/commentary-boomers-being-left-out-readers-offer-their-views

“Commentary: ‘Boomers’ need to flex their electoral muscles”

Dorchester Reporter May 7, 2020

https://www.dotnews.com/2020/commentary-boomers-need-flex-their-electoral-muscles

“Some hopeful signs from the battlefield” Dorchester Reporter April 30, 2020

https://www.dotnews.com/2020/commentary-some-hopeful-signs-battlefield

“It’s time to mandate masks, face covering in public spaces” Dorchester Reporter

April 23, 2020 https://www.dotnews.com/2020/commentary-time-mandate-face-coverings-boston-and-across-state

“State begins to wrestle with serious budgetary matters”

Dorchester Reporter April 16, 2020

https://www.dotnews.com/2020/state-begins-wrestle-serious-budgetary-matters

“Fast-moving crisis, fast-moving changes, and a plate full of what we’re still facing”

Dorchester Reporter April 9, 2020

https://www.dotnews.com/2020/fast-moving-crisis-fast-moving-changes-and-plate-full-what-we-re-still

“Wearing Masks Must Be a National Policy”

New York Times April 2, 2020

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/02/opinion/coronavirus-masks.html?smid=em-share

“Observations about a catastrophic month”

Dorchester Reporter April 2, 2020

https://www.dotnews.com/2020/commentary-observations-catastrophic-month

“Health Centers make urgent request for state support”

Dorchester Reporter March 26, 2020

https://www.dotnews.com/2020/health-centers-make-urgent-request-state-support

“The next two weeks will tell if we’re ready: We’re gonna need a bigger boat”

Dorchester Reporter March 19, 2020

https://www.dotnews.com/files/REP%2012-20web.pdf

“Walczak: “Social distancing” is critical right now, not later on”

Dorchester Reporter March 15, 2020

https://www.dotnews.com/2020/walczak-social-distancing-critical-right-now-not-later

Interview on BNN by Chris Lovett “What’s missing in response to Covid 19” March 12, 2020

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VllymXoI4D4&authuser=0

“The goal for now: Slow down the infection rate” Dorchester Reporter March 12, 2020

https://www.dotnews.com/2020/goal-now-slow-down-infection-rate

“Charitable tax deductions will hurt the Commonwealth’s bottom line”

Dorchester Reporter March 5, 2020

https://www.dotnews.com/2020/comment-charitable-tax-deductions-will-hurt-commonwealths-bottom-line

Other

Bound by their Boston neighborhood. January 31, 2020

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/31/fashion/weddings/Bill-Walczak-Meg-Campbell-married-Boston-Dorchester.html?referringSource=articleShare

TED talk “Unlearning & Expanding our Definition of Health”

January, 2020

https://www.ted.com/talks/bill_walczak_unlearning_expanding_our_definition_of_health_may_2020?utm_campaign=tedspread&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=tedcomshare

TED talk “Codman Square” July, 2010

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yBgMh0LBzj0