Some citizens like Jeff Spurr, a former member of Harvard Art Museums’ Collections Committee, said he looked to vote for a candidate who demonstrated responsiveness to citizens and progressive political values.

Others voted to support friends running for the Council.

“Two of my friends are running for City Council. I had to come here, or they would’ve killed me,” said Henry Louis Gates Jr., a university professor.

Cambridge also voted to elect a six-person school committee, selecting Patricia Nolan, Alfred Fantini, Richard Harding, Kathleen Kelly, Fran Cronin, and Mervan Osborne, according to the preliminary results.

“The school system is changing dramatically,” said Irving Allen, a Cambridge resident. “I have kids in Cambridge schools and want to make sure they’re supported…. This election is crucial.”

The final count will be tallied on Nov. 15. The mayor of Cambridge, who serves as the chair of the Council and the School Committee, will be elected by the Council members after they assume their positions in 2014.

“In the next two days, we’re going to sleep,” said Mazen, who received 946 number one votes. “In the next two years, we’re going to catalog the campaign promises, which were specific tasks from pot-holes to bike safety, city-wide development, and small business promotion.”

—Karl M. Aspelund and Conor J. Reilley contributed reporting to this story.

This article has been revised to reflect the following correction:

CORRECTION: Nov. 7, 2013

An earlier version of this article incorrectly stated the number of people who sit on Cambridge’s school committee. In fact, there are six school committee members, not five. A graphic accompanying the article also incorrectly stated the first name and middle initial of reelected City Councillor E. Denise Simmons.