Voter Eligibility Concerns

[Union Square Neighborhood Council]

Hello Union Square community members,

As an independent, non-profit, volunteer organization authorized by the City of Somerville to negotiate Community Benefits Agreements with developers in its catchment area, the Union Square Neighborhood Council held a CBA vote on Wednesday June 4th in accordance with its bylaws, ratified by the USNC membership in 2017. The vote resulted in a supermajority of 71% in approval of the CBA. The USNC Board is satisfied that the voting procedures were carried out uniformly following its regular procedures, and is assured that the vote reflects the wishes of its voting membership. The Board unanimously certified the vote on June 9, 2025 and published the final vote tally on June 10, 2025. 

The eligibility requirements were well publicized ahead of the vote: any person 16 years of age and older, who at any point during the 12-month period leading up to an election or membership vote lived, worked, volunteered, or owned a business or property in the expanded USNC catchment area was eligible to vote. 

USNC’s poll workers validated that voters met one of the eligibility requirements for every individual who voted, either in person or online.

The USNC Board recognizes there are concerns about voter eligibility, and understands that questions raised are an opportunity for learning and for improving transparency in service of our community. To this end, the USNC is forming a working group to create an up-to-date database of its members. Upon its completion, the group will present a report on the USNC membership, present numbers of membership by category and join-date, and discuss the CBA vote in that context. 

Finally, the USNC welcomes amendment proposals to the bylaws that enhance membership voting, as evidenced by its advocating of a change to the bylaws ahead of the Somernova vote mandating an extension of the catchment area for all CBA votes to include individuals within 1,000 feet of any proposed development.

The Board will look to incorporate the recommendations members submit, and encourages the engagement of everyone who lives and works in the neighborhood in making decisions that affect us. 

Thank you.

The USNC Board.