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Dear Editor:
We have all heard many times about how important it is to vote. However, I would like to point out exactly how important each individual vote has been in recent local elections in Reading.
There are over 20,000 registered voters in Reading. Despite this large number, all three contested town-wide elections in April 2022 were decided by margins of fewer than 200 votes. In fact, Reading has had five elections decided by only 36 or fewer votes in recent years:
- 2017 Select Board
- 2017 Board of Library Trustees
- 2021 RMLD Board of Commissioners
- 2021 School Committee
- 2022 RMLD Board of Commissioners
The closest of these, the 2017 Select Board election, was decided by just five votes. Just think: I could fit enough voters to flip that election into my minivan, and I would still have two seats left for my kids to come along and watch democracy at work!
These elected officials make decisions that affect our everyday lives, from the quality of our infrastructure and education to the affordability of our town and services. They also make questions that represent our culture and values: Are we the sort of town that welcomes events for Pride and Juneteenth on the Common, or are we the sort of town that bans books about LGBTQ+ issues from the library?
Given how close our local elections are and how much impact they can have in our community, I hope that you are motivated to vote on April 4 at the RMHS Fieldhouse if you have not already voted. I also hope that you will talk to your friends and neighbors and encourage them to vote.
Personally, I am excited to support Karen Herrick for Select Board, Erin Gaffen for School Committee, Alan Foulds for Moderator, and Monette Verrier and Cappy Popp for the Board of Library Trustees. However, I would encourage you to check out all the candidates’ statements here on the Post and on www.readingma.vote and to watch the candidate forums for Select Board and Board of Library Trustees on RCTV. That way, you can form your own opinion and make your own choices.
After all, your vote really is that important.
Your neighbor,
Joseph Carnahan
Middlesex Ave
