When Benjamin Franklin was walking out of Independence Hall after the Constitutional Convention in 1787, someone shouted out, “Doctor, what have we got? A republic or a monarchy?” To which Franklin supposedly responded, "A republic, if you can keep it."
More than two centuries into our Grand Experiment, despite attempts to derail it, our democratic republic remains intact. But it does so only because we continue to cast our ballots for the individuals we think will best represent us once they take the oath of office.
Candidates are imperfect, as is our judgement; nevertheless when we come together to make our voices heard each Election Day, we enable something greater than the sum of us - a trust in our union, a faith in our fellow citizen, a belief that together we are better for our effort.
The election right after a presidential election is historically the lowest in our four year cycle. However, it is in these times that those who would shred our democracy work the hardest to gain power, thinking that the rest of us are too enervated or distracted to pay attention.
That's why elections like this one are so important. So, if you have already cast your ballot - either by mail on in-person - thank you for doing your part. And if you haven't yet cast your vote, then it's time to put on your comfortable shoes and head over to your polling location. Your vote can today can make the difference.
Voting Information
NOTE: It’s too late to put your mail ballot in a USPS mailbox. Ballots are due by 8 pm sharp on May 18 so you should not put your ballot in the mail at this point. Postmarks do not count.
The Polling Location Cannot Accept Your Mail Ballot.
You must return your Completed Ballot at one of these locations by May 18, 8 PM:
Drop Boxes in NW Philly(open 24/7): Pleasant Playground, 305 Slocum St; Dorothy Emanuel Rec Ctr, 8500 Pickering St
Board of Elections Office, City Hall, Room 140 (open M-Fri, 9 am- 5 pm)
Changed Your Mind and Want to Vote in Person? Bring your mail ballot (and the outer envelope) to your polling location and surrender it. You’ll be asked to sign a declaration, and then you can vote using the regular machines.
If my mail-in ballot doesn’t come in time, what then?
If you have not gotten your mail-in ballot by May 18, you can head to the polls on election day, and complete and cast a provisional ballot in person with a valid ID.
VOTING IN PERSON: LOCATIONS
Your polling location is where where you voted in the November election. If you need to find your polling location, then go to: https://atlas.phila.gov/voting
Still have Questions? Call the Commissioners at 215-686-3460
Philly Neighborhood Networks Endorsements & Recommendations
Please consider the PNN endorsements and recommendations. There’s information on all the candidates, including the judicial candidates, and the five questions. We are strongly endorsing Larry Krasner for re-election as the District Attorney and hope you will vote for him. Click below for more information:
Thanks for your advocacy.
Tim Brown, Organizing Director