Voting is the inherent right our country was founded on. And yet, everyone has not had the right to vote in our history. Although civic engagement goes beyond the ballot box, expanding the electorate and ensuring that everyone eligible to vote is engaged is crucial to maintaining a healthy, functioning democracy. As someone who has faced barriers to voting, I am deeply committed to removing these barriers and nurturing a deeper, more participatory democracy at every level of government.
As part of my commitment to expanding the electorate in Boston, I proudly voted in favor of the home rule petition to allow 16 and 17-year-olds the right to vote in municipal elections. This HRP was sponsored by my colleagues, Councilors Mejia and Bok, and stewarded through the Government Operations Committee by Councilor Arroyo.
I filed a hearing order and began discussions to restore municipal voting rights to immigrants with legal status. Immigrants comprise 29% of the City’s population and are integral to the city's social, political, economic, and cultural fabric. However, immigrants with legal status do not have the full ability to participate in municipal elections and have their voices heard.
