What’s Up Worcester Staff took the temperature at the polls at 7:21 pm and here’s what we learned…
Worcester knows the results are in, at least unofficially until certified by the Election Committee (scroll down). But What’s Up Worcester was interested in how people felt and behaved at the polls, public safety and community cohesion, in alignment with our mission to provide hyper-local community-forward news.
Worcester showed pride, peace and patience here
November 4, 7:21 PM- The Ward 6, District 6 polling station at Emanuel Lutheran Church on Greenwood Street was peaceful and there was no police presence outside. Rather, poll-goers were greeted by Worcester folks smiling and holding signs of opposing party affiliation on either side of the driveway into the parking lot.
Gino Nuzzolito, a labor union advocate and lifetime residents of Worcester, had arrived at the polling location at 7 am. After 7 pm, he was still out with a small group holding signs for Jermoh Kamara and Khrystian King and giving out free donuts. Nuzzolito said he loved growing up in Worcester and that people used to be more community-oriented. Another resident, Barbara, said Worcester is a great place to live, but she advocates for a “civilian review board to hold leadership accountable.” She also said she attended an “open forum” at the JCC and heard many residents voice concerns about school safety and government transparency. Both interviewees voted for a change in leadership, in the hopes that different voices could encourage Worcester to come together again.
Also in the greeting party offering donuts, water, and information, was Bruce (last name withheld) who was inclined to support incumbents. He is a lifetime resident and echoed that “Worcester is a great place to live.” He stated that what he looks for in leadership is “personality, developing relationship with the community, and how well they relate to [Worcester] people.” Bruce said that the candidates are “mostly saying the same thing,” clarifying that they all touched upon issues of “education, public safety, accountability, affordability, and transportation because that’s what we care about.” Indeed.
Worcester does care. Regardless of party line, at the Ward 6, District 6 polling site, Wormtown pride and peaceful conversation seemed to mark the day. The big Everyone was willing to show the way to the entrance, offer a refreshment, make a coffee run, talk about the good old days of Worcester, and hope for better days economically and socially in the community.
Nuzzolito said that in his full day outside the polling location he noticed a steady turnout and witnessed no issues. “Everyone is getting along and having fun. It doesn’t matter who you vote for,” he expressed, “This is community.” Regarding low turnout in Worcester he said it could be due, in part, to people feeling their voices aren’t heard by leadership. He spent much of his summer “knocking on doors to get the message out” and has been very involved in campaigning. He said he felt hopeful the candidates he endorsed would win, but if things didn’t go that way, he plans to continue to campaign for the next election. His suggestion to candidates and supporters in that scenario is, “Stay involved because more voices need to be heard.”
Yes, Worcester pride and peace won the day, amidst the food crisis and government shut down. People like these campaigners who stood patiently oustide all day giving out coffee and snacks are the heartbeat of our city. The potential major shakeup of the mayoral seat and change to leadership may not have occurred this time, but one thing is certain: Nothing changes if people don’t show up to change it.
The Results
Raw math deduced from the Unnofficial Results posted last night, suggested that 22.4% of registered Worcester voters turned out the vote, up from the 17-20% What’s Up Worcester reported on November 3.
Here are Worcester’s November 4, 2025 Unofficial Municipal Election Results posted at 11/4/25 10:37 pm:
- Mayor: Joseph M. Petty* — 13,747 (54.68%)
- City councilors-at-large:
- Joseph M. Petty* — 12,420 (11.65%)
- Khrystian E. King* — 11,808 (11.08%)
- Kate Toomey* — 10,353 (9.71%)
- Gary Rosen — 10,033 (9.41%)
- Satya B. Mitra — 9,457 (8.87%)
- Morris A. Bergman* — 9,353 (8.77%)
- District councilors
- District 1: Tony J. Economou — 4,064 (56.93%)
- District 2: Robert A. Bilotta — 2,016 (55.31%)
- District 3: John P. Fresolo — 2,200 (53.74%)
- District 4: Luis A. Ojeda* — 1,566 (73.62%)
- District 5: Jose A. Rivera — 3,954 (52.52%)
- School committee
- At-large:
- Maureen F. Binienda* — 13,663 (38.76%)
- Susan M. Mailman* — 12,996 (36.87%)
- District A: Molly O. McCullough* — 4,518 (100%)
- District B: Vanessa Z. Alvarez — 1,832 (100%)
- District C: Dianna Biancheria* — 2,753 (69.01%)
- District D: Alejandro Guardiola, Jr.* — 1,193 (100%)
- District E: Kathleen L. Roy* — 1,921 (51.25%)
- District F: Jermaine L. Johnson* — 4,616 (100%)
For official results, once certified, anyone can access election results at: Informing Worcester,”the City of Worcester’s open data portal where interested parties can obtain public information at no cost.“
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