Voice: Citizen Mystery Shopper

I planned to vote early, by mail or drop box. But like hundreds of Philadephians, I received a pristine ballot — and stuck-closed secrecy and mailing envelopes. City Commissioners’ Office to the rescue!

Our Gen Z Mystery Shopper reached out to each member of Philadelphia City Council via email and phone to ask what they are doing about climate change. Here’s what happened

Our Philly-dwelling mystery shopper wanted to marry the love of her life — in Maryland. Here’s what happened when she tried to get a license

Our city-dwelling, non-driving Mystery Shopper turned 18 a few months before the election. Why was it so hard to register to vote?

The most-taxed big city in America claimed our Mystery Shopper owed more than $30,000 in unpaid business taxes that were already paid. Cue long wait times. Ineptitude. Mounting accountant’s bills. Confusion. Collections … and more

A recent study found AI platforms to be 51 percent inaccurate when it comes to voting and election info. In the latest installment of our Mystery Shopper series, a Citizen voter tries to see if the AI tech can be helpful after all.

Wondering what it’s like to be a poll worker for an election in Philadelphia? In the latest installment of our Mystery Shopper column, a local student shares his experience.

Our Mystery Shopper just wanted to pay for their residential parking permit. Why, oh why, was it so hard?

How hard is it for a first-time voter to register in PA? In the latest installment of our Mystery Shopper column, a Philly student finds out