ELECTION DAY IS TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2021, 7 AM – 8 PM
VOTING LOCATION: W9, D1: GRACE EPIPHANY CHURCH, 224 E. GOWAN AVE.
Dear Democratic Voter:
On Tuesday, November 2, justice is on the ballot. There are 4 appellate court positions up for a vote– These statewide judges make important decisions that affect every aspect of our lives – voting rights, public school funding, women’s reproductive rights, and gun control, just to mention a few. They are all facing Republican challengers. Yet, many Philadelphians do not vote in this historically low turnout election. COURTS MATTER! And so does your vote! We are counting on you to show up and make your voice heard in these statewide judicial elections:
- Supreme Court: We strongly urge you to vote for Maria McLaughlin. The stakes could not be higher, as this critical seat on the Supreme Court will be decisive on so many important issues.
- Commonwealth Court: We strongly endorse Lori Dumas and David Lee Spurgeon. These statewide judges have a significant impact in protecting our rights in the face of regressive anti-democratic efforts by the PA GOP.
- Superior Court: We strongly endorse Tamika Lane. This court is the last resort to protect the civil and criminal rights of thousands whose rights are under attack on so many fronts these days.
For District Attorney, we strongly endorse re-election of Larry Krasner, who has focused on prosecuting the most serious crimes, while working with community leaders to address the root causes of violence.
For Philadelphia Controller, we strongly endorse re-election of Rebecca Rhynhart, who is running unopposed and has proven to be an effective fiscal watchdog, exposing waste, fraud, and abuse.
For the Municipal Court, we endorse all five Democratic candidates (Greg Yorgey-Girdy, Michael C. Lambert, George Twardy, Christian A. DiCicco, and Fran McCloskey), who are running unopposed.
For the Court of Common Pleas, we endorse all twelve Democratic candidates (Nick Kamau, Wendi Barish, Cateria R. McCabe, Betsy Wahl, Chris Hall, Michele Hangley, Craig Levin, Daniel R. Sulman, Monica N. Gibbs, Leanne L. Litwin, Mark J. Moore, and John P. Sabatina Jr.), whoare running unopposed. See information about each candidate on our website: https://9thwarddems.org
Don’t forget to vote for our local election officials who work so hard to make voting safe & secure:
Helen D. Byrnes for Judge of Elections (button 124) and Zelda Weisman for Inspector (button 125)
Judicial Retentions – We recommend retention of all 13 Common Pleas judges and all 7 Municipal Court judges. We do not endorse retention of the Superior and Commonwealth Court candidates who are Republicans
Ballot Questions: We recommend a YES vote on all 4 ballot questions.
QUESTION #1: Proposed City Charter Change – Urge the PA Legislature and Governor to legalize use of marijuana by persons aged 21 years and older subject to regulation and tax by the Commonwealth of PA. YES
QUESTION #2: Change City Charter to create a new Department of Fleet Management that will manage all City-owned vehicles and vehicle-related equipment. For several decades, most of these responsibilities have been delegated by Executive Order to an Office of Fleet Management. YES
QUESTION #3: Change Home Rule Charter with respect to two civil service hiring or promotion policies. At the discretion of the City’s Personnel Director, a department head who is hiring new staff is permitted to choose from more qualified and diverse applicants than the two top-scoring applicants, which is the current policy. YES
QUESTION #4: Change City Charter to require City Council to set aside a mandatory 0.5% of the City’s General Fund appropriations for the Housing Trust Fund. YES
IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR THOSE VOTING BY MAIL (VBM):
- Request VBM Online: VotesPA.com/ApplyMailBallot (If you have not applied yet)
- Oct 26, 5 PM: Deadline to Request VBM (But don’t wait until the last day or it could be too late)
- Nov 2, 8 PM: Deadline for your ballot to be RECEIVED, not postmarked, by the Election Office
- Closest Drop Box in NW Philly: Pleasant Playground, 305 Slocum Street, 19119
PLEASE MAKE A PLAN TO VOTE: You can do so by either requesting a vote by mail ballot by Oct 26, promptly returning your mail ballot (ballots won’t be accepted after Nov 2, 8 PM) or by voting in person at Lutheran Theological Seminary on Nov 2, from 7 AM to 8 PM. Your Vote can make a difference!
Thank You for Voting: Contact your W9/Division 1 Committee Persons if any questions: Chris Rabb and Patricia Quigley (pquigley@westlaurelhill.com, 215-421-8237).
