The election was seen as a crucial one for the CCA, which observers say has historically gained much of its support from tenants in rent-controlled apartments.

Rent control was abolished by statewide referendum last November, and many felt the CCA's clout vanished with it.

"The progressive vote turned out to be a strong one and it was predicted that it would not be," Duehay said. "We were worried about losing the ninth seat, but it looks like we will not. We did stronger than we expected."

Dowels said that the CCA has increased its support among longtime residents and attracted younger voters who recently have moved to the city.

"The traditional families which used to support [conservatives] and locally born candidates are leaving," Dowds said. "The mix of folks taking their place is, by education and background and values, slowly but surely turning toward CCA types."

Conservative Jonathan D. Spampinato, who is in 12th place with 461 votes, said the conservative Alliance for Change was unable to induce supporters to vote its entire slate.

"The CCA is doing well again because their voters voted the entire slate," he said. "Alliance voters did not."

Among Harvard students, Duehay was the runaway winner with 28 number one votes, in two precincts. Reeves, his next closest competitor, received 12 number one votes.

Fewer than 15 percent of Harvard undergraduates took to the polls, in turnout which was "a record low," according to Election Commissioner Wayne A. "Rusty" Drugan.

The official results will not be announced until Saturday evening. The new city councilors will take office the first week in January and then will choose one councillor to serve as mayor for the next two years