As Marblehead gears up for its 2024 municipal elections, we find for the first time in many years a significant lack of contested races. We hope it’s not the start of a trend.
Only two out of 12 races — for Select Board and Recreation and Parks Commission — are being contested. Laura Gallant returned nomination papers to run for Marblehead Housing Authority and attempted to withdraw her name but missed the deadline to do so. But she is ceding the race to the other contender, Kristin DuBay Horton.
The lack of contested races raises questions about the health of local democracy and citizen engagement.
The most notable absence from the ballot is Jim Nye, a Select Board member who has served the town for nearly two decades. His decision not to seek re-election leaves a significant void, but also an opportunity for fresh perspectives. However, with only two challengers vying for the five open seats, it seems that few are seizing this chance to shape Marblehead’s future.
Nye arguably contributed to the small field by not deciding — or at least not publicly announcing — his intention not to run until the deadline to submit nominations had passed. While we know such decisions can be difficult, candidates would best serve the democratic process by broadcasting their intentions as early as possible.
This lack of competition is not unique to the Select Board race. The School Committee and several other crucial bodies will see incumbents run unopposed. While the experience and dedication of these public servants is commendable, the absence of challengers deprives voters of a robust debate on the issues that matter most to the community.
We are concerned that the dearth of contested races may be a local manifestation of a broader phenomenon, as the increasing polarization and negativity in national politics have made local leaders more vulnerable to harassment, threats and personal attacks.
A 2023 survey of 1,400 local elected officials conducted by Princeton University’s Bridging Divides Initiative and CivicPulse found that nearly half of those officials had been insulted, a third had been harassed, and nearly one in five had been threatened in any given three-month period.
The survey also found that 14% of local officials, and 20% of women surveyed, are worried about being attacked or their families being attacked. These trends have undoubtedly had a chilling effect on local candidacies.
But in Marblehead, this year’s dearth of contested races stands in stark contrast to recent years. Between 2019 and 2023, Marblehead averaged four contested races per year, with a total of 20 over the five-year period. The Select Board race, in particular, has been consistently competitive, with more candidates than available seats each year.
In a post titled “Where Have All the Local Candidates Gone?” on the think tank New America’s blog, Maresa Strano emphasizes the importance of local elections. She writes, “Local officeholders are closest to the people they govern, meaning they don’t just govern best, as the saying goes, they also govern the most.”
She also points out that the shift from real-life interactions to digital communications has made citizens more passive in their engagement with local civic life. This disengagement has contributed to a lack of interest in running for local office and participating in the democratic process at the grassroots level, Strano writes.
However, the consequences of this trend are clear: When fewer voices are heard, the democratic process suffers.
Despite this, local voters have bucked the trend. The town has shown its commitment to democratic participation in recent years, from moving the municipal election to June to boost turnout to exploring ways to make Town Meeting more accessible. Last year’s town election saw the highest turnout in a decade. These efforts are commendable and must continue.
The Marblehead League of Women Voters and Abbot Library have also done their part to encourage residents to put their names on the ballot through their “Intro to Marblehead Town Government” series. Video of previous sessions is available online, and the Current will make sure you know about future installments.
Ultimately, the onus is on the citizens of Marblehead to step up, to run for office, to attend meetings, to vote. The absence of robust competition in this year’s election should serve as a reminder of the importance of civic engagement and the need to foster a culture of active participation in local government.
In his farewell reflections, Nye spoke of the importance of being “part of a team” in tackling the challenges facing the town. The 2024 election may have few contested races, but it’s never too late for more residents to join the team.
The members of the Current’s editorial board are Ed Bell, who serves as chairman, and Virginia Buckingham, both members of the Current’s board of directors; Kris Olson and Will Dowd, members of the Current’s editorial staff; and Robert Peck and Joseph P. Kahn. Peck is an attorney, former chairman of Marblehead’s Finance Committee and a former Select Board member. Kahn is a retired Boston Globe journalist.
The Current Editorial Board
The members of the Current’seditorial board are Ed Bell, who serves as chairman, and Virginia Buckingham, both members of the Current’sboard of directors; Kris Olson and Will Dowd, members of the Current’seditorial staff; and Robert Peck and Joseph P. Kahn. Peck is an attorney, former chairman of Marblehead’s Finance Committee and a former Select Board member. Kahn is a retired Boston Globe journalist.
