The number one most critical thing you can do to support safer streets in Cambridge is to VOTE this election on November 4.
Everything you need to know about voting in Cambridge is on the City of Cambridge Election Commission Website and the 2025 Voter Guide has everything you need to vote. It is available in 8 languages.
A quick summary of how to vote
- In person, Tuesday November 4th: Polls are open 7AM-8PM. Find your voting location here. Make sure to add it to your calendar!
- Mail-in ballots: To ensure your ballot arrives on time, at this point you should make sure to use official election drop boxes, not regular mail. A list of locations and map are available here. Most drop boxes will close November 3rd (Monday) at 8PM. After that and on election day, only the one at 689 Mass Ave will be open, until 8PM.
You can also visit the Election Commission at 689 Mass Ave in Central Square or call 617-349-4361 with anything election or voting related. Note: the EC office moved from Inman St to 689 Mass Ave in June 2025.
Here are some useful links found there:
Early Voting
In-person early voting is available before Election Day.
Vote by Mail
No-excuse vote-by-mail is available. Ballots must arrive by Nov 4th, so we suggest using the City’s official drop boxes. Deadline to sign up is October 25.
Why Your Local Vote Matters
- City Council decisions set policy and funding for safer crosswalks, traffic calming, and bike/pedestrian safety improvements.
- Local elections are often decided by small margins—every ballot can shift outcomes on safety priorities.
- Voting is the most direct way to support comfortable, accessible streets for kids, older adults, and all road users.
- Some candidates strongly support safer streets and will vote accordingly, while others believe maintaining free street parking is their top transportation policy priority and safety for people walking or biking is less urgent.
How Cambridge’s City Council Elections Work
- Cambridge elects nine (9) at-large City Councilors. We use a form of ranked choice voting (Proportional Representation). Every candidate who makes “quota” = (number of votes)/(number of seats + 1) is elected. This means about 10% of the people voting, elect each candidate – around 2400 votes historically. Most, if not all candidates, do not make quota the first round and are elected through transfers.
- You can rank multiple candidates in order of your preference. Ranking more than one candidate helps ensure one of the candidates you ranked will receive your vote. If your top #1 vote is already elected (meets quota) or eliminated, your ballot is transferred to the next person that you ranked on the ballot. If you do not have a next candidate – then your ballot is exhausted and set aside. This is why ranking is really important.
- Be careful not to put two candidates in the same rank (like choosing Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck both at #1). This will spoil your ballot and it will not be counted.
- Your ballot will be counted toward “quota” for exactly one candidate. Choose your favorite candidate for you #1 vote. All council candidates want and need enough #1 votes to not be eliminated too soon in the counts. You cannot go wrong ranking many candidates.
- Try the City’s Ranked Choice Practice Ballot to see how ranking works.
Make Your Plan
- Check your registration and polling place, or register if you’re new to Cambridge. Your polling location is where you vote. You can look this up at http://www.wheredoivotema.com and you can view a map of all polling locations here.
- Choose how you’ll vote: early in person, by mail, or on Election Day.
- Mark your calendar with key deadlines and set a reminder for when you’ll cast your ballot.
Dates & Deadlines
Key reminders for the November 4, 2025 Cambridge Municipal Election:
- Voter Registration Deadline: See the City’s election page for the official cutoff and in-person hours.
- Early Voting Window: In-person early voting is available before Election Day; see locations and hours.
- Vote-by-Mail: Apply early (recommended). Your ballot must be returned by the deadline—drop boxes and mail options available.
- Election Day: Tue, Nov 4 • Polls open 7am–8pm.
For the most current dates, locations, and forms, always refer to the
Cambridge Election Commission.
Learn More
- Background on why local votes affect street safety
- City of Cambridge: Election information & assistance
- Practice ranked choice voting
- Sample 2025 City Council Ballot
- Sample 2025 School Committee Ballot
- Where do I vote?
- Ballot dropbox locations:
- City Hall: 795 Massachusetts Avenue, near the rear door
- Morse School: 40 Granite Street, near the front entrance
- Cambridge Police Headquarters: 125 6th Street, near the front of the building
- Maria L. Baldwin School: 85 Oxford Street, right-side of the Oxford Street entrance
- O’Neill Library: 70 Rindge Avenue, adjacent to the entrance stairs
- 2025 Voter Guide, includes versions in multiple languages and information about the Charter Ballot question.
This page is provided for general, nonpartisan voter education about how to participate in Cambridge’s municipal election and how local government decisions affect street safety. It does not support or oppose any candidate or slate.
