To the Editor:

Vote-by-mail ballots arrived in Princeton mailboxes last week.  In Column A of the ballot, voters will find highly competent and concerned Democratic candidates, including Mia Sacks and Michelle Pirone Lambros for Princeton Council.

Mia and Michelle, who are ready to take on the responsibilities of Council members, have made public service a priority. Each has a vision for Princeton that includes sustainability, affordability, and socioeconomic diversity, as well as a robust and thriving local business community.

Currently a member of the Princeton Planning Board and its Master Plan subcommittee, Mia has served on the Princeton Environmental Commission, on Princeton’s Bicycle Advisory Committee, and on the Complete Streets Traffic Calming Committee. In addition, she serves on the board of Sustainable Princeton, the Resiliency Working Group for Princeton’s Climate Action Plan, and Princeton’s Municipal Green Team.

Before returning to her hometown, Mia worked for several decades in New York and around the world in public health and human rights for Human Rights Watch, the Open Society Institute, and the ACLU.

Michelle is a member of Princeton’s Zoning Board of Adjustment as well as the Economic Development Committee. Born in Princeton, she worked on Capitol Hill for Democratic Congressman John Murtha of Pennsylvania before living and working abroad. She has built multiple small businesses all over the world, launched new products overseas, and collaborated with governments and private sector entities across the globe.

Upon settling back in Princeton, Michelle became active in local organizations and has served on the Board of the Princeton Merchants Association. She is also active with the Greater Princeton Chamber of Commerce and the Arts Council of Princeton.

Both Mia and Michelle deserve your vote for the two openings on Princeton Council. To make sure your vote counts, return your mail-in ballot as soon as possible. Please be aware that vote-by-mail ballots come in a large white envelope marked OFFICIAL MAIL-IN BALLOT. They have been sent to every voter who requested a mail-in ballot in 2016 or later. If you did receive a mail-in ballot, you will not be able to cast a vote on a machine at your polling place, although you will be able to cast a paper provisional ballot.  If you are not sure whether you received a mail-in ballot, or if you think you inadvertently threw it out, you may call the office of Paula Sollami-Covello, our tireless Mercer County Clerk, to find out if you are on the vote-by-mail list. The numbers are (609) 989-6495 or (609) 989-6494.

Tuesday, November 5, is Election Day. I urge all of you who did not receive vote-by-mail ballots to go to the polls and cast your votes for the committed and highly qualified candidates in Column A. Last year, a Blue Wave changed the course of Congress. Let us continue the momentum this year at the local, county, state, and national levels so that we are prepared to elect a Democratic president next year.

Scotia W. MacRae
Chair, Princeton Democratic Municipal Committee
Evelyn Place