Local elections matter. The people we vote into office have an enormous amount of power over our town and day-to-day lives. When the pandemic hit, our worlds shrank and how, or if, our communities adapted was laid bare. From public safety and school funding to property assessments and public health enforcement, the effectiveness of local government is inextricably tied to the people we put into office. In Hingham, the Town Clerk is the only salaried, elected official and it is a critical, public-facing job. Ally sits down with the four candidates vying for the open seat: Carol Falvey, Libby Lewiecki, Laura Marwill and Tom Patch. Election day is May 22. www.votema.org