How about aligning mayoral and presidential elections?

Artie Kronenfeld’s excellent article on voter turnout reinforces a reform that I believe we as citizens of Waltham should request of our city leaders.  As Artie pointed out in the article,

Turnout for state elections regularly outpaces turnout for municipal elections in Waltham. Neither, however, reach the heights of typical turnout for presidential elections. Between 70 to 80% of Waltham voters cast ballots, whereas statewide elections since 2010 have averaged 55% turnout in the city.

Our mayoral elections should be aligned with the presidential election instead of the current odd-year municipal cycle. And our city council elections should be aligned with the even-year midterm election cycle to ensure a larger voter turnout. This change would ensure that the broadest possible cross-section of Waltham voters elect our mayor and lawmakers — giving everyone a say rather than leaving these crucial decisions to a small group of “super voters,” as Shanique Rodriguez, executive director of the nonprofit Massachusetts Voter Table, noted in Artie’s article. An added benefit to this shift is that citizens would face fewer separate trips to the polls — easing voter fatigue, encouraging participation and saving the city money on election administration.