The deadline to request a mail-in ballot is TOMORROW, Tuesday, May 9 at 5pm. (A headline in the newsletter below previously stated an incorrect day.)

If you're applying to vote by mail at this point, we strongly recommend returning your ballot in-person to a drop-off location in your county. Mail-in ballots must be returned by Tuesday, May 16, at 8pm. Postmarks are not honored.

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Last word in the mayor’s race

Seventy hosted one of the final forums for Philadelphia mayoral candidates, focusing on key governance issues, from executive hiring to managing the public workforce to closing gaps in access to city services. Candidates were entirely on the same page in their commitment to appointing a Chief Democracy Officer to assist in coordinating election operations and leading a nonpartisan voter engagement initiative. Watch the forum in English, Spanish or Chinese.

Skewed primary: The Inquirer editorial board thinks the city should move on from its traditional “first-past-the-post” elections and adopt a nonpartisan runoff or ranked-choice voting system that would better allow all voters to have a say in determining their elected officials.

Where do you stand? Seventy’s poll found that as of last week, 1 in 5 of likely primary voters in Philadelphia still hadn’t landed on their choice for mayor. The Inquirer and Billy Penn have tools that could help you determine how well your views on key issues align with the major candidates.

Montco County Commissioner clash and a special PA House election in Delco

Among the hottest races in the suburbs are in Montgomery County, where five candidates are running for two seats in the Democrat primary and three Republican candidates are running including incumbent Joe Gale. While Montco will stay in Democratic hands, Republicans in Chester County are looking to wrest back control after having lost the majority in 2019. All the Bucks County Commissioners and Delaware County Council members are running unopposed for reelection, but all voters (not just major party voters) can participate in a closely-watched special election in Delco’s 163rd PA House District. The competitive mayoral primary in Chester is also in the spotlight as the city's future is at risk after decades-long economic decline.

And school boards: Suburban school-board races have become partisan flash points in recent years, spurring more debate around whether candidates should be allowed to “cross-file” and run in both the Democratic and Republican primaries.

Troubling nationwide decline in civics scores

This week, the U.S. Education Department issued what it calls “the Nation’s Report Card” for history and civics to eighth graders, finding that scores have continued to drop. Grades in U.S. history are at their lowest point since nationwide assessments began in 1994: just 14% were deemed “proficient.” In civics, only 22% got a passing grade. Kerry Sautner of the National Constitution Center noted part of the challenge is a steady decline in reading comprehension, an essential foundation for teaching civics and history. Civics education is underfunded compared to STEM subjects (science, tech, engineering and math) and needs to be increased to prepare young people for citizenship.

How hard was the test?: The U.S. Department of Education’s national assessment center offers quizzes based on the tests given to students. Test yourself.

Master the internet: Media literacy has become essential in today’s online world, and is challenging even for digital natives who’ve grown up with the internet and social media. State Sen. Katie Muth and Rep. Tim Briggs have introduced bills that would mandate a media-literacy curriculum for Pennsylvania k-12 schools.

C70's investment in democracy’s future: Our youth-civics program includes mock elections, voting and elections curriculums, and study guides that teachers can incorporate into their lesson plans. We have also joined forces with Vote That Jawn to connect with first-time voters.

If you want a mail-in ballot, apply NOW. Ballots must be returned by Election Day, May 16, at 8pm (postmarks do not count). And get ready to vote with C70’s Interactive Voter Guide. Type in your address for information on the statewide judicial elections as well as the local races and ballot questions in Philadelphia, Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery counties.

Rev up the engine: Montgomery County Democrats developed a political machine and “pay-to-play culture” despite gaining power under the banner of reform.

(Yet) another proposed amendment: The PA House's narrow passage of a Democratic-sponsored amendment that would enshrine labor rights in the state constitution joins five amendments Republicans passed in the last session that the current divided legislature is unlikely to send to voters this year or next. There are too many amendments, and Spotlight PA is keeping track of them.

More of a say for PA: There may be bipartisan traction around moving the state’s 2024 primary from April 23 to March 24, both to avoid a conflict with Passover and to give us more clout in the presidential nominating process. The downsides: another crunch on county election offices while candidates may have to begin gathering nomination-petition signatures around the Christmas-to-New Year’s holiday period.

The tales tax returns tell: Only two frontrunner candidates in Philly’s Democratic mayoral primary shared their full tax returns with The Inquirer.



Estate planning: Philadelphia Register of Wills Tracey Gordon is facing three primary challengers in her bid for a second term. The Inquirer explores what the offices does, how Gordon has done it and what her opponents would do differently.

Campaign for Qualified Judges 2023 Election Day Volunteer

Are you looking for a way to make a meaningful impact this Election Day? Join the Philadelphia Bar Association’s Campaign for Qualified Judges to distribute the Bar’s ratings of judicial candidates to voters as they head to the polls. Research shows that getting the Bar Association’s ratings in the hands of voters has a real, tangible impact on the outcome of elections. Volunteers are needed across the city for both the morning (7-10 am) and evening (5-8 pm) shifts. Sign up.

Nonpartisan Volunteer Opportunity with SEAMAAC

Join SEAMAAC as a volunteer in voter protection efforts by monitoring polling sites in South Philadelphia with high populations of limited-English speaking voters. Learn more and sign up.

Teachers: Prepare your students for the May primary 

Draw the Lines resources are still live on our website, as are numerous civic education resources for schools across PA. This includes our Election 101 briefings, the PA Mock Election, our K-8 Democracy for Kids program, and Can We Talk? civil dialogue initiative. Learn more and get your students involved.

Working the Polls on May 16

Planning to serve as a poll worker (on behalf of your county election office) or poll watcher (on behalf of a candidate or party) on May 16? Sign up for one of Seventy's information sessions before Election Day.

Seventy's membership program broadens, diversifies, and expands our community of champions of local democracy. Become a member and receive notification about Event signups, Annual Membership Impact Reports, C70 swag and Invitations to members-only experiences and receptions.