The New Urban Order

Vote Like Your City Depends On It …

because it does. And this year’s election may prove that

By Diana Lind
Listen

Ali Velshi on the Danger of the Protest Vote

The MSNBC anchor and Citizen Board member is not casting a protest vote in the general election, and neither should you. Here's why

By Ali Velshi
Citizen of the Week

Vivek Babu

Thanks to the efforts led by Drexel’s undergraduate student president, the university will for the first time give students the day off for voting and engagement on Election Day 2024, the latest in a string of election advocacy successes.

By Roxanne Patel Shepelavy

Is Philly About to Decide Democracy’s Future … Again?

Voter turnout in the biggest city of our key swing state is trending dangerously downward. Is Philly about to end democracy after saving it four years ago? Governor Shapiro has a warning for us

By Larry Platt

How to Start a Voter Registration Drive

12 steps to running a safe, legal and successful voter registration sign up by the general election deadline

By Claire Wolters
The Fix

What If Everyone Had to Vote?

Is mandatory voting — the law in Australia, Belgium, Brazil and other countries — an idea we should steal to boost election turnout? (Also: Democracy sausage!)

By Roxanne Patel Shepelavy
Ideas We Should Steal

Vote Like Minneapolitans

Only 27 percent of voters cast a ballot in Philly’s mayoral primary last week. Here’s what we can learn from the midwest city — known for high levels of civic engagement — that recently set a turnout record

By Greta Kaul
Guest Commentary

A Mayoral Agenda for Older Philadelphians

More than 60 percent of voters are over 50. That’s just one reason, the AARP’s state director says, candidates should listen to them

By Bill Johnston-Walsh
Guest Commentary

Let every registered voter … vote

Pennsylvania is one of only nine states that denies independent voters from casting a ballot in the primaries. A Republican state senator has a plan to change that — and now is the time

By Dan Laughlin
Ideas We Should Steal, Revisited

Make. Voting. Easier.

Every Election Day, we learn somethings new about Pennsylvania elections. The consistent takeaway: We should have a better way to vote

By Roxanne Patel Shepelavy