"I know all the candidates at home," said Robert J. Baror '00. "I know the issues. I have a long-term commitment to my home area whereas I don't to Cambridge."

But turnout at the IOP event was dampened as well by the small number of major national offices in contest.

Active Students

Quincy House polling-station clerk Ed Samp suggested that although a student may choose to register in Cambridge rather than at home, that "doesn't necessarily mean that with that there is going to go an interest in local politics."

There are, however few, students who have chosen to register in Cambridge.

Among them is Barbara E. Martinez '00, who said "there are a lot of reasons for Harvard students to care about city elections."

Martinez, a Crimson editor, cited the safety of Memorial Drive and city beautification as issues which are "intrinsic to students' daily lives."

Kevin B. Acklin '98 is not only registered in Cambridge, but has also been actively involved in local politics as a volunteer on the City Council campaign of challenger David L.K. Trumbull. An unofficial first count early this morning showed a defeat for Trumbull, who heads the city's Republican party and was endorsed by the moderate Alliance for Change.

"I'm originally from Pennsylvania, but I pay taxes here through the school and I feel like this is where I live for now," Acklin said. "A lot of the issues Harvard students face every day are being decided [by the City Council]."

Opinions differed as to the importance of the student vote in the local democratic process.

Wagner said students' lack of participation in local politics deprives the community of an important voice. "Because they're somewhat detached from localities, they can think in more ideological terms," he said, adding that students can "participate in a less self-interested manner."