How To: Help Keep Neighborhood Elections Fair
The primary way democracy thrives and survives is through fair elections. But who exactly is making sure the elections are fair? Is it some far off big-moneyed or well-connected power player? Nope. It’s people from your neighborhood. And if it is not folks you know then it should be you. The people making sure elections […]
Chinatown: Groups Work To Increase Residents’ Participation In Politics, Elections
Election Day has come and gone and many are either celebrating or discouraged by the result. While this brought an end to the current election cycle, the work done to increase the political involvement of the Chinese community is far from over. Just this year, the nonprofit Philadelphia Tri-state Chinese American Association formed, with Yong Peng as its […]
Hunting Park: Local Efforts Encourage Minorities And Millennials To Vote
Equipped with pledge cards, iPods, and polling data, a group of five millennials cramped into a minivan. Maneuvering through North Philadelphia, the team knocked door-to-door along nestled rowhomes in Hunting Park, Juniata Park, and Feltonville, greeted by residents stricken with consternations surrounding Election Day. The canvassing clan is a constituent of the National Council of […]
Chinatown: John Chin Seeks To Bring Divided Community Together
John Chin, the executive director of Philadelphia Chinatown Development Corp. (PCDC), is at the forefront of a neighborhood split in two. According to city maps, the space above the Vine Street Expressway is considered Callowhill. But it is known to Chin – as well as to his colleagues and, Chin hopes, many others in the future – […]
Politics: Groups Work to Register Philadelphia Voters Ahead of Election
Perhaps no one in Philadelphia has Oct. 11 marked on their calendar more than Gregory Irving. The voter registration deadline is one of many that Irving has faced over nearly 29 years working in the city’s Voting Registration Office. But this year is a bit different. For many Americans, the Nov. 8 election featuring candidates Hillary Clinton […]
Chinatown: Low Voter Turnout Despite Good Weather
With the sun shining down and a light cool breeze blowing by, it was the perfect weather condition for people to come out and vote. Despite the good weather, voter turnout was not so good in Chinatown. There are two poll sites for Chinatown residents: the Chinese Christian Church and Center at 225 N. 10th St. […]
Roxborough: Young Voters Absent From Primary Polls
It was a quiet and unusually empty afternoon in the auditorium of the polling station at Ridge Avenue and Rector Street. Located right next to the Roxborough Memorial Hospital, volunteers and poll workers were stationed outdoors and indoors, anxiously awaiting a crowd to come in and place their votes for the 2015 primary election. Throughout the […]
Logan: Education and Crime Top Issues For Voters
According to community activist Sheila Bellamy, the voting for the primaries is usually low in numbers because many people do not see the importance. “In my district, there are 540-something registered voters, she said yesterday morning at the Birney Preparatory Academy, located at 9th Street and Lindley Avenue. “If we can get 200 today, we’re going […]
North Central: Increased Voter Turnout
The presidential election witnessed an increase in voter participation in some sections of Philadelphia, veteran observers said. At the Norman Blumberg Apartments Community Center, Irene McDonald made sure that everyone who is registered to vote was voting. “I have been a committee worker for over ten years,” McDonald said. “So I know most of the […]
Ridge Avenue: From Temple University Student to Campaign Manager
Behind every good election campaign are dedicated workers and volunteers to help get the winning edge. While most are experienced politicians, others are young, motivated workers ready to take on the everyday duties of a successful campaign. Laura Frank, a former Temple University student, was called upon to be the campaign manager of the Verna […]