Although wrought iron gates separate our living spaces from the rest of New Haven, every time we exit those enclosed courtyards we find ourselves on the streets of the city. We cannot help but use the sidewalks, cross the crosswalks, drink city water, rely on local police, and enjoy the aesthetics of the public tree planting program that gives the “Elm City” its nickname. In inhabiting these spaces and benefiting from the included amenities, we are compelled to take on the responsibility of maintaining the well-being of this town. Under the tacit laws of human decency, we should care for the space we occupy.
Voting here, in New Haven, provides us with an opportunity to exercise our duties as citizens of the place in which we spend eight months out of 12. Some Yalies may refuse to register here, arguing that our needs as transient college students shouldn’t impose on or interfere with the needs of the city or the state. Yet the quality of transportation, the crime rates, and the municipal services impact our lives here, and we should exercise our voice in shaping how our elected officials direct policy and city planning.
Moreover, our physical presence shapes New Haven city council districts, as the City of New Haven considers the Yale population during its redistricting process. Indeed, city officials quite purposefully drew Ward 1—also known as “the Yale ward”—to guarantee students elected representation on the Board of Alders. Clearly New Haven draws district lines under the assumption that we vote and require representation in this city. It seems disrespectful not to participate in city politics when a ward exists solely for that purpose. We may be from Kansas or from California for the rest of our lives, but for four years, we will spend the majority of our time as functioning citizens of New Haven.
Local New Haven residents recognize this. Their complaints about Yale students generally focus not on their disruptive presence but on their lack of communal engagement. As Ward 22 co-chair, I repeatedly hear local residents complain of Yale’s lack of concern for local affairs. Since assuming office, I do not think I have heard one local resident gripe about students being too involved in their community.
In other words, what we need to worry about as Yalies is not that we become overbearing in local affairs, but that we fail to deliver on our basic civic obligations as New Haven residents. We have a responsibility, as citizens of this place, to concern ourselves with and take action on the issues that affect this community.
Often, the power and influence of elected officials at the state-level depends on the size in turnout of their voting constituency. We don’t want to undermine New Haven’s prerogatives when the state determines its budget by not showing up at the ballot box.
This fall our vote counts more than ever. The gubernatorial race is consistently ranked as the most competitive in the entire country. Governor Malloy, now running for a second term, won the election in 2010 by exactly 6,404 votes against the same opponent he faces this time around, Republican Tom Foley. Regardless of civic imperatives, the implications of this election will affect not only the landscape of our city but also the political climate of the entire country. In particular, the Connecticut voting base will set the political tone looking towards 2016. We will decide to either embrace or reject comprehensive gun control, marijuana legalization, and criminal justice reform. This election tests the political endurance of not only Malloy’s agenda but also the progressive movement as a whole. The outcome will have major ramifications for people across the nation, and as Yalies, we should want a say in that. Regardless of our political affiliations, we should recognize that Election Day in this state is of profound importance to the community that surrounds us, and that as citizens of this place, however briefly, we are obligated to participate in the democratic process here.
Let’s take ownership. Let’s take civic responsibility for the place where we live, whether or not you consider New Haven your city or Connecticut your state. Because after all, we can’t change the fact that you benefit from living in this community, its amenities included. The first step in beginning that kind of civic engagement—and in bridging the division that has long pitted Yale against New Haven—is to participate in the public debate by exercising our right to vote.
Illustration by Julia Kittle-Kamp