As fireworks light up the sky this Fourth of July at LeLacheur Park and we gather with family and friends to celebrate our nation’s independence, there’s no better time to reflect on what freedom truly means. Beyond the barbecues and parades lies the heart of our democracy: the right to participate in shaping our community’s future.

This Independence Day, I’m asking my fellow Lowellians to celebrate with more than sparklers and patriotic songs. Let’s honor our democratic heritage by making a commitment that will echo far beyond the holiday weekend — a pledge to vote in Lowell’s Municipal Election on November 4th.

When our founders declared independence 249 years ago, they weren’t just rejecting distant rule — they were embracing the radical idea that ordinary citizens could govern themselves. Today, that revolutionary spirit lives most powerfully in our local elections, where individual voices carry extraordinary weight.

Year after year, I see a disheartening pattern unfold at polling places throughout our city — nearly empty gymnasiums, where poll workers wait patiently for sporadic voters. In 2023, fewer than 7,600 of Lowell’s approximately 75,300 registered voters participated in our city election. This means that critical decisions about our children’s education, public safety and economic development were shaped by just 10% of eligible voters.

As someone who has spent over 14 years working with municipal leaders at the Greater Lowell Chamber of Commerce, I’ve seen firsthand how local government decisions ripple through every aspect of our daily lives. When the City Council allocates budget resources or the School Committee determines funding for special education services, these choices affect our neighborhoods more directly and immediately than most federal policies ever will.

Think about your daily routine. The roads you travel, the schools your children attend, the parks where your family plays, the economic opportunities in your community — all of these are shaped by the officials you elect locally. Unlike distant representatives in Washington, you can call City Hall and speak directly with the decision-makers affecting your life.

This Fourth of July, as you celebrate with neighbors and friends, I encourage you to do something that embodies the true spirit of independence: make a public pledge to vote on November 4th. Share this commitment with your family, post it on social media, tell your coworkers and mention it to fellow parents at soccer practice.

Why make it public? Because democracy thrives on community engagement. When you share your voting pledge, you’re not just committing to participate — you’re encouraging others to do the same. You’re creating a ripple effect that can transform our community’s civic culture.

Every election day, my children accompany me to the polls. Though too young to vote, they’re learning that civic participation is both a privilege and a responsibility. They watch me greet neighbors, carefully mark my ballot and proudly wear my “I Voted” sticker — a simple ritual that demonstrates how showing up truly matters in our democracy.

Whether your priority is education, economic development, public safety or neighborhood quality of life, your ballot is your voice in shaping Lowell’s future. In local government, showing up isn’t just important — it’s revolutionary.

This Independence Day, let’s celebrate freedom by exercising it. Make November 4th, your personal Independence Day. Pledge to vote in Lowell’s Municipal Election, share that commitment with others and encourage them to join you. Together, we can make civic engagement the best firework of all.