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Philadelphia needs a civics revolution

The lackluster turnout in May’s municipal primary continues an alarming trend from 2022, when Philly voters turned out in notably lower numbers than other Pennsylanians. Just as alarming is Lenfest research finding that almost half of Philadelphians (45%) can’t name their district City Council member. “If you don’t know who your representatives are, you’ve likely never asked them to provide the help your neighborhood needs, or the services you and your family deserve,” C70 CEO Lauren Cristella writes in a Billy Penn op-ed in which she calls for a “civics revolution” in Philadelphia. “Government has little incentive to improve if they don’t think the public is watching,” Cristella adds. “The Committee of Seventy has watched for nearly 120 years, and we’ll continue to do so — but we must also empower others to watch, learn, get engaged, and hold government accountable."

Seventy’s civics toolbox: We partner with organizations to encourage their constituencies to vote via our WeVote initiative; with educators in our youth civics programs; with young people through the Vote That Jawn project; and with election boards in our Pennsylvania Poll Worker Project.

Mark Henninger / Imagic Digital

Let independent voters vote

Proposals to allow PA's roughly 1 million independent voters to participate in primary elections were debated in a House committee hearing on Thursday, with advocates from Ballot PA urging lawmakers to act. House bills introduced by Jared Solomon (D-Philadelphia) and Marla Brown (R-Lawrence) are nearly identical and have the same basic objective as SB400, introduced in the other chamber by Dan Laughlin (R-Erie) and Lisa Boscola (D-Northampton). Support for the reform is just as bipartisan---more than 2 of 3 Republicans and 3 of 4 Democrats, according to a 2021 Ballot PA poll. “It’s the right thing to do and the smart thing to do,” Ballot PA chair (and former C70 CEO) David Thornburgh told legislators. “When you answer to a broader coalition than the [small minority] of voters who show up for primaries it’s going to make for a better culture of governing and hopefully make you do a better job representing them.” Watch the hearing.

Amen to that: In a Broad + Liberty op-ed, C70 Senior Advisor for Election Administration Jeff Greenburg explains why open primaries is among the election reforms he calls “vital to maintaining the vibrancy of democracy in the state where it was born.” Stressing the need for "commonsense improvements," Greenburg added that allowing independent voters to vote in primary elections belongs on the list with more time to process ballots and providing the adequate training and resources for county election offices.

An election debacle—but not a scandal—in Luzerne County

The ballot-paper shortages that marred the November 2022 election in Northeast PA’s Luzerne County resulted from “high staff turnover and a loss of institutional knowledge,” according to an investigation by Luzerne District Attorney Sam Sanguedolce. In February, Votebeat reported that the county has “cycled through” five election directors since 2019, which could have been exacerbated by tension over drop boxes. But Sanguedolce’s inquiry found that the number of affected polling places was far fewer than originally reported, and there was no evidence to back allegations of “voter suppression.”

More training needed: High staff turnover is hardly unique to Luzerne County. Both Democrats and Republicans agree that training and professional development for local officials has become more urgently needed.

Help wanted: The Inquirer reports on City Council investments in recruiting, signing bonuses, parental leave and workforce development programs. Nearly one in five city jobs is vacant, hampering the ability to provide critical services.

Forward-looking politics: Senators Lisa Boscola (D-Northampton) and Anthony Williams (D-Philadelphia) joined former presidential candidate Andrew Yang to announce their affiliation the Forward Party, formed in response to the country’s polarized and divisive politics

Gaming the system? PA Rep. Jared Solomon (D-Philadelphia) and Sen. Gene Yaw (R-Lycoming) are calling for a probe into a charge, first reported by Spotlight PA, that top Gaming Control Board officials met privately with casino lobbyists about a competitor and failed to disclose the meeting as required.

Open records in name only: Philadelphia is “really bad” at responding to open-records requests, according to an analysis, cited by Billy Penn, by the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press.

Let me say that again: Commonwealth Court judge Renee Cohn Jubelirer rejected a GOP call by Republican lawmakers that she overturn her ruling that PA’s school-funding formula is unconstitutional.

C70 is looking for its seventh cohort of Buchholz Fellows — a group of emerging young leaders in the private or nonprofit sector — to serve on our board, help improve government in Philadelphia, and grow their leadership skills. Apply now.

C70 is seeking a passionate individual to help expand our Democracy for Kids program, particularly in Spanish-speaking communities. Join our mission to promote engaged citizenship across Philadelphia. Learn more.

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