More than 200 students, Providence residents and community members gathered at the Salomon Center for Teaching on April 22 for a student-led Providence Mayoral Candidate Forum hosted by Brown Votes, Brown University’s nonpartisan civic engagement initiative.
The forum brought together four declared candidates in the 2026 Providence mayoral race: incumbent Mayor Brett Smiley, state Rep. David Morales, Michael English and Allen Waters. The event was open to preregistered members of the public and livestreamed, offering both campus and city audiences the opportunity to hear from candidates on issues affecting Providence residents.
Brown students worked collaboratively with the university to shape the event. Student moderators and Brown Votes organizers Alissa Kraus and Nihil Suthy guided candidates through a two-part format: the first half focused on prepared questions developed by organizers, followed by the second half, which featured audience-submitted prompts collected from attendees.
“This forum is part of our ongoing efforts to keep the Brown community and the greater Providence area informed and engaged with upcoming elections,” shared Brown Votes student organizer Rosie Shultz during opening remarks. “Candidate forums like this one are an important part of our democratic process as they facilitate open dialogue and provide members of our community an opportunity to learn about the candidates running for office.”
Questions focused on issues with direct impact on Providence residents, including housing affordability, public transportation, immigration enforcement, food insecurity, public education, student housing, civics education, surveillance technology and the relationship between Brown and Providence.
Housing was a central focus of the evening, with candidates discussing rent stabilization, housing production and affordability as Providence continues to face rising rents and limited housing supply. Candidates also addressed immigration policy, including the role of local government in responding to federal enforcement actions and supporting immigrant communities.
Public transportation was another major topic, with candidates discussing the importance of accessible transit for economic mobility and daily life in Providence, particularly as residents navigate transportation costs and changes in bus service.
Audience participation shaped much of the second half of the forum, giving students, residents and community members an opportunity to raise questions about issues affecting their neighborhoods, schools and daily lives.
Brown Votes organizers intended the forum to inform voters and create a space where students and community members could engage directly with local politics. Municipal elections often receive significantly lower turnout than national races, despite the critical decisions about housing, transit and public safety made at the local level.
The forum reflects a growing student interest in civic participation that extends beyond Election Day, with Brown students facilitating a public conversation rooted in local issues and community access. This followed the success of a forum in October with all five Providence City Council candidates to discuss key issues for Ward 2.
As Providence’s September primary approaches, the forum offered an early opportunity for voters to hear from candidates side by side and for students to play an active role in civic engagement in the city they call home. Providence’s primary election is scheduled for Sept. 9, 2026.
Brown Votes, housed within the Swearer Center for Public Service, began as a student initiative focused on voter registration and education. Since becoming a University-wide collective initiative in 2021, Brown Votes has brought together students, faculty, staff and community partners to support civic engagement across campus and beyond. Swearer Center staff work closely with Civic Engagement Fellows, the Brown Votes student group and University partners on initiatives that encourage democratic participation at Brown and in Providence.
This year’s primary is now scheduled for Wednesday, September 9, 2026. The general election for mayor is on November 3, 2026. → 2026 Statewide Elections