Be prepared: Read this today. Vote tomorrow.
Election Day is tomorrow, Tuesday, May 15.
Polls are open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Any voter in line by 8 p.m. is allowed to vote. In Pennsylvania, only registered Democrats and Republicans can vote for candidates in the primary election. ALL voters can vote on the ballot questions. See more below.
Here’s some helpful information about the primary election:
New to all this?
If you’re new to voting, or new to voting in Pennsylvania, or if you’ve just never paid attention until now, please check out the information posted by the non-partisan Committee of Seventy here.
Wondering where to vote?
Find your polling place here.
What are the ballot questions?
There are three ballot questions that seek to amend the city’s Home Rule Charter. All voters, including those registered as unaffiliated or third-party, can vote on ballot questions. If approved, the questions would:
- Establish a specific annual budget for the Police Advisory Commission
- Restore local control of city schools
- Require mandatory training regarding sexual harassment in the workplace for all City officers and employees
Read up on the ballot questions here.
How about those new congressional districts?
In February the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania re-drew the state’s congressional districts to address gerrymandering. As a result, South Philly is now split between the 3rd and 5th congressional districts.
Generally, District 3 comprises South Philly north of West Passyunk Avenue west of Broad Street and north of Mifflin Street east of 11th Street. District 5 includes the area south of West Passyunk Avenue west of Broad Street and south of Mifflin Street east of 11th Street. District 5 also includes a narrow box running from the west side of 11th Street to the east side of Broad Street and from McKean Street north to the south side of Tasker Street. Confused? Maps of the districts can be found in this useful post by Philly Voice and on philly.com.
WHYY has helpful profiles on the candidates running for the District 3 & 5 congressional seats. Philly Clout conducted in-depth interviews with candidates available here.
All these mailers I’m getting are driving me crazy! And where is Delco?
Inquirer columnist Mike Newall, who lives on the south side of Mifflin in the 5th Congressional District, writes about life as a newly-minted Delconian in this piece. He describes the mailers that arrive almost daily “from a wilderness so far removed from my consciousness that it might as well be across the country. I am speaking, of course, of Delaware County.”
If you don’t know a thing about Delco, this lighthearted, but informative, piece by writer Stephanie Farr helps explain “Pennsylvania’s strangest county, one that often feels like it’s the Florida of Southeast Pa.”
