On Aug. 1, Ward 2 Councilwoman Helen Anthony announced her resignation from office, a year before her term’s expiration. To fill her now-vacant seat — which encompasses the majority of Brown’s campus and parts of College Hill — Providence will hold a special primary election on Nov. 4 and a special general election on Dec. 2. The registration deadline is fast approaching, with voters required to be registered by Oct. 5. Despite this election’s relative obscurity, it is critically important for Brunonians, and we urge all eligible students to cast their ballot and help shape the future of Providence.
Ward 2 is home to approximately 13,000 eligible voters — yet only 7,000 are actively registered. Only about 4,000 voters cast a ballot in the most recent election for the seat. Data compiled by Brown Votes’s Research Team shows that, in 2020, there were only 1,500 Generation Z voters registered in Ward 2, with less than 7% of the registered youth voters actually casting a ballot.
Given that thousands of young Brown students, whether they realize it or not, are eligible to vote in this election, Brunonians could help magnify Gen Z voices and tip the balance of this election. If 300 Brown students were to register to vote in Rhode Island and turn out on election day, the Gen Z voter share for the ward would effectively double.
The city council is tasked with enacting ordinances that promote the upkeep and innovation of the city, as well as managing the budget. In 2023, it formed a special subcommittee to understand the causes of housing insecurity within Providence. The committee found that Providence experienced one of the highest rent increases in the entire country between 2023 and 2024 — a reality many students living off campus can attest to. Housing is a critical issue in the campaign, and it is just one issue that the city council will work to address in the coming term. The city budget also determines resource allocation towards many services in Providence, such as the public school system and police department. In light of federal funding cuts in education, it’s critical to ensure that the city’s limited financial resources are properly allocated.
As Brown students, we qualify for dual residency, meaning we can choose to vote in either our home state or in Rhode Island. If you are from a swing state, swing city or are particularly interested in your hometown’s politics, you should consider staying registered there. Otherwise, you should consider registering in Providence. This place is also our home, and the issues addressed by the city council affect us, too. After all, local government has the most immediate and direct impact on our everyday lives.
Besides the relevant issues directly addressed in the upcoming local election, all students on campus should be motivated to participate simply for the sake of civic engagement. Nowhere can the volatility of our current political climate be seen more clearly than on a college campus, and if — in the past few months — you have found yourself upset about the state of our nation, this is your chance to make a change in the community most relevant to you.
Voting is easier than ever, especially for students at Brown who can register to vote in this fall’s elections via the TurboVote platform by Oct. 5. When election day rolls around, students can cast their ballots on campus at the Brown-RISD Hillel, or vote early or by mail. Students can also explore compiled candidate information via the Brown Votes Candidate Sheet. Voting is the most fundamental way to make your voice heard. For the future of our city, we urge you to exercise this right.
Nihil Suthy ’27 is one of the Advocacy Chairs of Brown Votes. Avery Redlich ’28, Lily Luby ’28, Rebecca Gale ’29 and Alissa Kraus ’29 are also members of Brown Votes’ Advocacy Team. Please send responses to this op-ed to letters@browndailyherald.com and other opinions to opinions@browndailyherald.com.
