Education, housing, Mass and Cass top voter concerns
Boston voters were driven to the polls on Tuesday seeking action from a new mayor on education, housing and Mass and Cass as the historic preliminary vote stretched into the night.
“For me, Mass and Cass, in that I live here, is number one. It’s definitely a problem. I used to go walking around the South End by myself at night. Not anymore,” said Jennifer Schachter, a South End resident who cast her vote at a Warren Avenue voting location on Tuesday.
Chelsea Aaron, who went to vote with her 3-month-old son Jaxon in tow, also shared concerns about the area of Massachusetts Avenue and Melnea Cass Boulevard, where people struggling with homelessness and drug addiction have congregated.
“I’d like to see some better ways to address the Mass and Cass situation. I think we need to definitely have some more compassion for people going through things and find a way to help people,” Aaron said.
Mike Gettings, a South End voter, said he would like Boston’s new mayor to focus on education. “I think it’s something that’s been kind of neglected over the years and it’s always sort of a running point. You know, a lot of candidates run but then nothing ever happens.”
Gettings added that he’d like the new mayor to further develop downtown Boston to get the city back to a “lively environment” post-pandemic.
Many voters expressed excitement about the historic race that is clustered with women of color.
“I love that there’s so many women on the ballot. I think it’s very exciting for the community and I like where it’s going,” said Lynn Zuchowski, who brought her labradoodle Henry along to cast her vote.
Schachter said, “I think it is phenomenal to see the panel of women and people of color that are up there.”
Housing, an ever-present issue in Boston, was also top of mind for voters.
“I think the main thing we’re talking about is condos, condos, condos. But what about the people that can’t afford a condo? So housing is very important,” said Henry, a Southie resident who preferred not to share his last name.
Others, such as South End voter Frank Hamm, just want the basics from Boston’s new mayor. “If they can fix health care, you know, and keep the place clean and safe, I’m good with that,” Hamm said.