Vote NO on April 24

Last night’s vote may have named a winner, but the real loss was democracy itself. Gloucester has 23,205 registered voters and we had 6,099 that voted in yesterday’s Special 3A election. That’s a turnout of 26.2%. It would appear that voter apathy, whether about 3A specifically or basic disinterest in civic engagement, led to low turnout, revealing a deep disconnect between citizens and the political system. When citizens disengage, the legitimacy of elected officials wanes, leaving a vacuum that can be easily filled by extremist, cronyism or authoritarian ideologies.

This isn’t just indifference—it’s disillusionment. Many people feel their voices don’t matter or cite a lack of trust in government and elected officials, feeling that their voices are unheard and their votes inconsequential. And when fewer people vote, special interests gain more power, decisions reflect fewer perspectives, and trust in democracy erodes further. Moreover, low voter turnout can lead to increased influence of special interests, as a smaller, more motivated segment of the population dictates outcomes . This dynamic further alienates the broader public, perpetuating a cycle of disengagement and mistrust.​

If we want a system that truly represents the people, we need to rebuild trust, improve transparency, and make civic participation feel meaningful again. This isn’t just a Gloucester problem. This needs to occur at all levels – local, state and federal.

That said, a HUGE thank you to each and every member of the Committee to Vote NO on April 24th! Your tireless efforts, resourcefulness, heart, grit, smarts and professionalism, especially in the face of both the opposing groups attacks in person and on social media, is nothing short of heroic. While we didn't prevail, your dedication and belief in a better Gloucester sustained us and strengthened our message every day that voting NO to MBTA 3A is and was truly in the best interest of Gloucester and our community.