Today is, Election Day — Tuesday, November 5. Election Day is not just the best civic day of the year; it’s also a time for Philly to shine.
By the time you’re reading this, you may have either voted, made a plan for voting, or made a plan to make a plan for voting. (Right? If not, we’ll wait while you do. Polling places are open from 7am to 8pm.) Got a question about anything voting related? We got you.
Just in case you need a reminder about why this election matters: This year, we elect the next President of the United States. In PA, we choose who’ll fill state offices: Attorney General, Auditor General and Treasurer, one of our two U.S. Senators, plus U.S. and state reps.
Read on to see what else you can do today to ensure voting is safe and easy for everyone.
THIS MORNING: PUT AN ELECTION SIGN IN YOUR WINDOW.
Doesn’t need to be partisan. Just needs to remind everyone it’s Election Day — and encourage neighbors and passersby to do their democratic duty. Also: Philadelphia public schools are out today. This could be your kid’s morning craft project.
WEAR YOUR “I VOTED” STICKER.
It’s not about bragging — although you totally deserve to. It’s about silently and visually reminding everyone who sees you that they need to vote, too. Call it peer encouragement, if you will.
“People think of themself as part of a group, so that naturally means that what your peers do is going to matter a lot,” Stefano DellaVigna, a behavioral economist at University of California, Berkeley, told Bloomberg News. “Having some sense of signaling to others that you voted, or encouragement from others to vote — or maybe some shame if you didn’t vote — very naturally fits into the way that we think people kind of approach a decision.”
REMIND FRIENDS AND FAMILY TO VOTE, NO MATTER WHERE THEY LIVE.
Get out the vote calls and texts — all those texts! — have become a 2024 election trope. Still, not everyone is on a to-call list. That person just might include someone you care about.
Help others find their polling place in PA entering an address on this page. Live in Philly? You’re in luck: The City’s handy-dandy online tool scores you all the info you need, just by entering a street address.
TELL A NEIGHBOR. OR 12.
If the canvassers — so many canvassers! — have done their job, turnout for this election may be the highest it’s been in several years. That does not mean most eligible voters will cast a ballot, for a variety of reasons.
This is where you can help. Make sure your neighbors are planning to vote — and, if not, ask if they’d like your help getting to your polling place.
Do the nabes need more inspo? Craft your own voting story into an on-the-fly version of deep canvassing. It’s proven to get out the vote, one person at a time.
TAKE FRIENDS TO THEIR POLLING PLACE.
Got the day off, or even an hour to spare? Offer to help neighbors get to their polling places, by walking or driving them there. (Not recommended: Riding them on your handlebars.)
Or, help them catch a discounted — or free — ride:
Lyft is taking half off ride prices (up to $10) to the polls, if you use the code VOTE24.
Uber’s offering half off rides (up to $10 off) by using their “Go Vote” tile to book.
Drive Your Ballot hooks voters up with volunteer drivers. Go on their website or call (267) 856-4956 to book yours.
HELP MAIL-IN / ABSENTEE VOTERS “CURE” THEIR BALLOTS.
Every year, hundreds of Philadelphians submit their absentee / mail-in ballots with mistakes, ranging from not signing or dating the outside envelope to not enclosing the secrecy envelope. Some of these mistakes cause the votes not to be counted. It’s not too late to fix. Find out if your ballot is OK through the City Commissioners’ Office online tool.
Double check that ballot on the City Commissioners’ list of questionable ballots.
Pennsylvania law allows voters to go to City Hall in person to “cure” their ballots.
Your resource: The City Commissioners office — Room 142 in City Hall.
SHARE ON SOCIAL.
Is it peer pressure? Sort of. Bragging? A little.
It’s also another great way to remind everyone in your network to vote — and to share your pride in taking part in the process.
Also, there’s bonafide proof that sharing on social — Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn, TikTok, Mastodon, if you prefer — that you voted and thanking others for voting on social media leverages social norms that bring people to the polls.
FEED POLL WORKERS.
There’s no law against bringing snacks or coffee to the good people working the polls. Need an idea? Can’t go wrong with Munchkins. Or soft pretzels.
FEED VOTERS.
Pizza to the Polls has planned to drive their truck to serve 1,500 slices to voters in three polling places — from 10:30am to noon, Bright Hope Baptist (1601 N. 12th Street); from noon to 2pm, West Philly High School (4901 Chestnut Street) and from 2:30 to 4:30pm, South Philadelphia High School (2101 S. Broad Street). No law against offering voters snacks too.
TAKE YOUR KIDS.
Philadelphia public schools are closed on November 5, and kids are allowed in the voting booth with you. In fact, it should be a requirement to teach them by example and get them jazzed about it. Let them push the buttons — and ask for an extra “I voted” sticker. (Also allowed in the booth with you: Another adult to help you vote, and a service animal.)
REPORT PROBLEMS AT THE POLLS.
Voters should be able to vote without disruption or intimidation. Although only a registered poll watcher and poll workers can linger at a polling place, a voter or passerby can certainly report the following types of illegal activities:
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- Aggressive, confrontational or threatening behavior inside or outside the polling place — including requesting identification
- Blocking access to an entrance, exit, sign-in table or voting machine
- Discrimination based on race, ethnicity, national origin, language, disability or religion — or questioning about citizenship, criminal record or political affiliation
- Photographing or recording voters in order to intimidate them
- Election signs inside a polling place
- Vandalism
- Yelling, shouting, taunting, or otherwise threatening with noise, including music
- Interfering in any manner with a voter’s right to a secret ballot
To make a report, you can call the Department of State’s voter hotline at (877) VOTESPA (1-877-868-3772). If you’re a registered voter, you can also submit a complaint online.
PARTY IN WEST PHILLY WITH DE LA SOUL AND DJ JAZZY JEFF.
RSVP here for access to a private concert in a secret West Philly location, with DJ Jazzy Jeff at 6pm and De La Soul at 7pm, courtesy of Joy to the Polls.
