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Photo of Burhan Azeem

Cambridge Vice Mayor

Burhan Azeem

At-large · 3 terms in this record

A monthly email on how they voted, starting in November.

Council terms

2026–2027 Council2024–2025 Council2022–2023 Council
Election Day · Tuesday, Nov 3

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Record at a glance · 2022–2023 Council

69 of 70meetings attended (99%) · whole council 98%
1,002votes cast by name (yes, no or abstain)
9no votes (<1% of votes cast) · whole council 2%
2 of 73split votes where Azeem was in the minority (3%) · whole council 22%
2abstained
3terms in this record

On split votes, Azeem voted the same way as…

How these numbers work
  • Counted from the official minutes, for 2022–2023 Council only. Committee meetings and routine votes (adjourning, approving minutes) are not counted.
  • Attendance counts the meetings where the minutes list Azeem as present or absent at the start.
  • Only votes the minutes record member by member are counted. Voice votes and votes given only as a count (for example 6-3 with no names) are not.
  • Percentages are shown only when there are at least 10 meetings or votes to count.
  • A split vote is one where at least one member voted yes and another voted no. “In the minority” means on the side with fewer votes; ties are not counted.
  • “Whole council” combines every member’s record for the same term.

These numbers describe the record; they are not a grade. A no vote, an abstention or a minority vote is neither good nor bad. MassVoter never rates officials.

In the news

Stories that name Burhan Azeem in the headline or opening, newest first, from 25 free news outlets (see the list). Headlines appear as each outlet published them; MassVoter does not write, choose or rate them. Only stories that are free to read are listed.

Disclosure: MassVoter’s founder, Michael Silvia, is the publisher of Fall River Reporter and New Bedford Guide.

Attendance

At the start of 69 of 70 City Council meetings in 2022–2023 Council.

Missed

Every meeting (70)

Votes where councilors disagreed · 2022–2023 Council

Dec 18Transmitting Communication from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to…Motion: APPROPRIATION ADOPTED CMA PLACED ON FILE [8-0-1]Passed 8–0 · Azeem: Not recorded

December 18, 2023: Transmitting Communication from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $251,000 from the Mitigation Revenue Stabilization Fund to the Public Investment Fund Community...

ApprovePassed · 8–0

APPROPRIATION ADOPTED CMA PLACED ON FILE [8-0-1]

Yes: Carlone, Mallon, McGovern, Nolan, Siddiqui, Simmons, Toner, ZondervanBurhan Azeem is listed as absent for this vote.

From the minutes

“RESULT: APPROPRIATION ADOPTED CMA PLACED ON FILE [8-0-1] YEAS: Councillor Carlone, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Simmons, Councillor Toner, Councillor Zondervan, Mayor Siddiqui ABSENT: Councillor Azeem.”

Read it in the official minutes, page 3 (PDF)

Dec 18A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative…Motion: ORDER FAILED OF ADOPTION [2-6-1]Failed 2–6 · Azeem: Not recorded

December 18, 2023: A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the Final Landmark Designation Report for Miss Markham’s School at 10 Buckingham Street on the Buckingham, Browne & Nichols...

Adopt orderFailed · 2–6

ORDER FAILED OF ADOPTION [2-6-1]

Yes: Carlone, SimmonsNo: Mallon, McGovern, Nolan, Siddiqui, Toner, ZondervanBurhan Azeem is listed as absent for this vote.

From the minutes

“RESULT: ORDER FAILED OF ADOPTION [2-6-1] YEAS: Councillor Carlone, Councillor Simmons, NAYS: Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Toner, Councillor Zondervan, Mayor Siddiqui ABSENT: Councillor Azeem.”

Read it in the official minutes, page 4 (PDF)

Dec 18Transmitting Communication from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to…Motion: APPROPRIATION ADOPTED CMA PLACED ON FILE [8-0-1]Passed 8–0 · Azeem: Not recorded

December 18, 2023: Transmitting Communication from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of the Edward J. Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant through the U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of...

ApprovePassed · 8–0

APPROPRIATION ADOPTED CMA PLACED ON FILE [8-0-1]

Yes: Carlone, Mallon, McGovern, Nolan, Siddiqui, Simmons, Toner, ZondervanBurhan Azeem is listed as absent for this vote.

From the minutes

“RESULT: APPROPRIATION ADOPTED CMA PLACED ON FILE [8-0-1] YEAS: Councillor Carlone, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Simmons, Councillor Toner, Councillor Zondervan, Mayor Siddiqui ABSENT: Councillor Azeem.”

Read it in the official minutes, page 4 (PDF)

Dec 18Transmitting Communication from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to…Motion: APPROPRIATION ADOPTED CMA PLACED ON FILE [8-0-1]Passed 8–0 · Azeem: Not recorded

December 18, 2023: Transmitting Communication from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of grant from the Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety and Security's (EOPSS) Municipal Road...

ApprovePassed · 8–0

APPROPRIATION ADOPTED CMA PLACED ON FILE [8-0-1]

Yes: Carlone, Mallon, McGovern, Nolan, Siddiqui, Simmons, Toner, ZondervanBurhan Azeem is listed as absent for this vote.

From the minutes

“RESULT: APPROPRIATION ADOPTED CMA PLACED ON FILE [8-0-1] YEAS: Councillor Carlone, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Simmons, Councillor Toner, Councillor Zondervan, Mayor Siddiqui ABSENT: Councillor Azeem.”

Read it in the official minutes, page 4 (PDF)

Dec 18A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative…Motion: ACCEPT AND APPROVE SURVEILANCE TECHNOLOGY REPORT [7-1-1]Passed 7–1 · Azeem: Not recorded

December 18, 2023: A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to a Surveillance Technology Impact Report which describes Body Worn Camera technology, requested by the Police Department.

ApprovePassed · 7–1

ACCEPT AND APPROVE SURVEILANCE TECHNOLOGY REPORT [7-1-1]

Yes: Carlone, Mallon, McGovern, Nolan, Siddiqui, Simmons, TonerNo: ZondervanBurhan Azeem is listed as absent for this vote.

From the minutes

“RESULT: ACCEPT AND APPROVE SURVEILANCE TECHNOLOGY REPORT [7-1-1] YEAS: Councillor Carlone, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Simmons, Councillor Toner, Mayor Siddiqui NAYS: Councillor Zondervan ABSENT: Councillor Azeem.”

Read it in the official minutes, page 5 (PDF)

Dec 18Transmitting Communication from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to…Motion: APPROPRIATION ADOPTED CMA PLACED ON FILE [8-0-1]Passed 8–0 · Azeem: Not recorded

December 18, 2023: Transmitting Communication from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $68,000, from Free Cash to the General Fund City Council Other Ordinary Maintenance account to support...

ApprovePassed · 8–0

APPROPRIATION ADOPTED CMA PLACED ON FILE [8-0-1]

Yes: Carlone, Mallon, McGovern, Nolan, Siddiqui, Simmons, Toner, ZondervanBurhan Azeem is listed as absent for this vote.

From the minutes

“RESULT: APPROPRIATION ADOPTED CMA PLACED ON FILE [8-0-1] YEAS: Councillor Carlone, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Simmons, Councillor Toner, Councillor Zondervan, Mayor Siddiqui ABSENT: Councillor Azeem.”

Read it in the official minutes, page 5 (PDF)

Dec 18That the City Manager is requested to work with…Motion: ORDER ADOPTED AS AMENDED BY SUBSTITUTION [5-4-0]Passed 5–4 · Azeem: Yes

December 18, 2023: That the City Manager is requested to work with the Cambridge Police Department to fundamentally change how it responds to situations that could lead to violence and death.

Adopt orderPassed · 5–4

ORDER ADOPTED AS AMENDED BY SUBSTITUTION [5-4-0]

Voted: Yes

Yes: Azeem, Carlone, Nolan, Siddiqui, ZondervanNo: Mallon, McGovern, Simmons, Toner

From the minutes

“RESULT: ORDER ADOPTED AS AMENDED BY SUBSTITUTION [5-4-0] YEAS: Councillor Azeem, Councillor Carlone, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Zondervan, Mayor Siddiqui NAYS: Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Simmons, Councillor Toner.”

Read it in the official minutes, page 7 (PDF)

Dec 18An Ordinance 2023 #12 has been received from City…Motion: FAILS TO PASS TO BE ORDAINED [4-5-0]Failed 4–5 · Azeem: No

December 18, 2023: An Ordinance 2023 #12 has been received from City Clerk, relative to BEUDO the Municipal Code of the City of Cambridge be amended in Chapter 8.67.100 entitled “Emission Reduction Requirements".

ApproveFailed · 4–5

FAILS TO PASS TO BE ORDAINED [4-5-0]

Voted: No

Yes: Carlone, Nolan, Siddiqui, ZondervanNo: Azeem, Mallon, McGovern, Simmons, Toner

From the minutes

“RESULT: FAILS TO PASS TO BE ORDAINED [4-5-0] YEAS: Councillor Carlone, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Zondervan, Mayor Siddiqui NAYS: Councillor Azeem, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Simmons, Councillor Toner.”

Read it in the official minutes, page 8 (PDF)

Dec 18Resolutions adopted together (2 resolutions, RES 2023 #306 to…Motion: ORDER ADOPTED AS AMENDED [8-0-1]Passed 8–0 · Azeem: Not recorded

December 18, 2023: Resolutions adopted together (2 resolutions, RES 2023 #306 to RES 2023 #307)

Adopt orderPassed · 8–0

ORDER ADOPTED AS AMENDED [8-0-1]

Yes: Carlone, Mallon, McGovern, Nolan, Siddiqui, Simmons, Toner, ZondervanThe Final Actions record the same result and vote for each of these 2 resolutions (RES 2023 #306, RES 2023 #307); MassVoter lists them as one vote. Burhan Azeem is listed as absent for this vote.

From the minutes

“RESULT: ORDER ADOPTED AS AMENDED [8-0-1] YEAS: Councillor Carlone, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Simmons, Councillor Toner, Councillor Zondervan, Mayor Siddiqui ABSENT: Councillor Azeem.”

Read it in the official minutes, page 13 (PDF)

Dec 18Congratulations to Moungi Bawendi on receiving the 2023 Nobel…Motion: ORDER ADOPTED [8-0-1]Passed 8–0 · Azeem: Yes

December 18, 2023: Congratulations to Moungi Bawendi on receiving the 2023 Nobel Prize in Chemistry “for the discovery and synthesis of quantum dots” along with Louis Brus and Alexei Ekimov. Councillor Nolan and...

Adopt orderPassed · 8–0

ORDER ADOPTED [8-0-1]

Voted: Yes

Yes: Azeem, Carlone, Mallon, Nolan, Siddiqui, Simmons, Toner, ZondervanMarc McGovern is listed as absent for this vote.

From the minutes

“RESULT: ORDER ADOPTED [8-0-1] YEAS: Councillor Azeem, Councillor Carlone, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Simmons, Councillor Toner, Councillor Zondervan, Mayor Siddiqui ABSENT: Councillor McGovern.”

Read it in the official minutes, page 13 (PDF)

Votes with no disagreement (623)

    From the Cambridge City Council’s official Final Actions, posted by the City Clerk on the city’s meeting portal (and, for meetings before late January 2026, the Open Meeting Portal), linked from the City Council page. We check every vote against the councillors present and quote the exact wording. MassVoter never grades or scores officials. Councillor photos: City of Cambridge (cambridgema.gov), from the official headshots on each councillor’s City Council page. Former councillors show initials.

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