I believe that democracy is a true living ideal: That it is brought to life by the breath of those who participate in it, and thus shape it. In this way, it is also a fragile ideal, and subject to broad swings in how it manifests itself and what it values. 

This makes civic engagement, for me, a powerful, community-building effort, and it’s one of the main reasons I proposed and instituted a non-partisan Civic Engagement Night (CEN) forum in Pepperell. Originally meant to educate voters in a non-biased way about key warrant articles at Town Meeting, and encourage robust, respectful questions and discussion, it has expanded to include opportunities for local election candidates to distinguish themselves for voters. 

As your state representative, I commit to providing a similar type of engagement for residents of the First Middlesex through monthly “office hours” (see “Constituent Services”). I also support improved voter access, including the right of early voting, and making it permanent, as Secretary Galvin has proposed.