Harvard students will join Cambridge residents at the polls today to elect a new City Council and School Committee in one of the most hotly contested races in recent history.

Eighteen candidates are vying for nine spots on the council, and 11 are competing for six positions on the school board.

For the first time since 1970, rent control is no longer an election issue, as the program was abolished by statewide referendum last November.

In its wake, affordable housing, economic development, property taxes and governmental efficiency have emerged as the main issues.

The less publicized school committee election has focused on cutting the district's $84 million budget, improving student performance and integrating technology into classrooms.

Teresa S. Neighbor, executive director of the Cambridge Election Commission, said her office was flooded with absentee ballot requests over the past weekend.

"We've been really busy the last few days, so there seems to be a late surge of interest," she said.

Despite this recent interest, Election Commissioner Wayne A. "Rusty" Drugan, Jr. said he expects a low turnout among Cambridge's 40,100 voters in this first election since rent control's demise.

Drugan predicted about 45 percent of registered voters will take to the polls if the weather is good. Today's weather forecast calls for afternoon showers and a high of around 50.

Last Minute Scramble

All city council candidates did some last minute stumping this weekend, with several angling for the votes of the approximately 1,000 Harvard students registered in Cambridge.

Councillor Francis H. Duehay '55 appeared at several river houses over the weekend to drum up student support. Duehay's staffers also e-mailed college voters last night, he said.

Council candidate James J. McSweeney Jr. and school board candidate Jon R. Maddox held signs in Harvard Square late yesterday afternoon.

"Especially with college students, where it appears difficult to get voters' attention, it helps to put a face with the name," said Marc C. Hymovitz, McSweeney's campaign manager.

Council candidate Jonathan D. Spampinato, Mayor Kenneth E. Reeves '72 and Duehay each held separate marches through the Square on Saturday.