Election Guide for the 2022 Philadelphia Primary: What's on the Ballot

Voting Tuesday? Here's What Y'all Demand to Know

All near the election and the offices yous'll be voting on

May. 12, 2017

May 16 is a Primary Election, meaning Philly voters volition select candidates from the Democratic and Republican parties to face off in the November general ballot. When it kickoff came into widespread use, the master was seen every bit a progressive attempt to wrest candidate selection out of the hands of party leaders, who used to decide such things in smoke-filled backrooms.

In Philly, where the Autonomous Party has dominated since the 1950s, registered Republicans generally have fewer candidates to choose from in these elections. While information technology would exist irresponsible to say it's inevitable that the winner of the Democratic principal will win in the November general election, history shows it's practically inevitable.

CAN I VOTE IN THIS ELECTION?

Are you registered to vote in Pennsylvania as a resident of Philadelphia? If so, the short answer is, aye. (If y'all're not sure about your registration status, check hither.)

Fifty-fifty if y'all are not registered with either major party, you tin can admittedly vote … on the ballot questions. That's all the same pretty important. If approved by a simple majority of voters, these amendments to the metropolis charter will become constabulary. More than on those below.

Only when it comes to the candidates, merely registered Democrats and Republicans are allowed to vote. Why? Because Pennsylvania is one of just 12 states that runs what's called a "airtight primary," where simply political party members tin vote on their candidates for the November general election.

Side Notation: Not a fan of that system? Let your land representatives and senators know. In that location are other options. Many states accept open up primaries, where voters of any affiliation may select a single party's ballot and vote for candidates. Other states offer semi-airtight primaries, where voters must be registered to a party to vote that ballot, but may switch their amalgamation day-of.

WHEN ARE THE POLLS OPEN?

Polls are open from 7 a.one thousand. to 8 p.m. Remember that you can get in line to vote earlier 7 a.m., and you can vote equally long as you were in line before 8 p.m., even if you don't become into the actual voting booth until later. Also remember: Polling places change, so brand certain y'all know where to become by checking with the state.

WHY SHOULD I VOTE IN THIS ELECTION?

Three reasons, actually:

1. Because electing a District Attorney is a large deal—bigger deal than nigh people know. The DA wields an enormous amount of power, arguably more than the Mayor when it comes to public safety and justice. If y'all care virtually Philly'south status as a Sanctuary City, keeping residents rubber, prosecuting corrupt officials, justice for victims, the handling of police-involved shootings, mass incarceration or juvenile justice, make this race a priority.
2. Because you lot care how your tax dollars are spent . The City Controller approves disbursements, audits expenditures, and investigates tips and other data that may propose fraud. And if you know anything almost Philly politics, you know fraud is not a purely hypothetical state of affairs.
3. Because low turnout means your vote matters . In 2009—the last time Philly had a contested District Attorney race—only 13 pct of Philly voters came out to the polls. Compare that to 27 percent turnout in Philly'south 2022 Mayoral Master, and 39 pct in the 2022 Presidential Chief. While some are hoping for a Trump-era crash-land in local off-cycle elections, this wasn't the case in Los Angeles's recent master, and information technology's likely Philly's turnout will stay below 15 pct. If there is a argent lining to this dismal forecast, it'southward that your unmarried vote carries even more weight than usual.

WHAT'S WITH ALL THESE JUDICIAL CANDIDATES?

Pennsylvania is one of eight states that elect judges through partisan elections at all trial courtroom levels. If you don't recognize a single name in these races, or yous experience a little unqualified to determine their ability to serve equally an impartial guess, you're in practiced visitor. We recommend deferring to the Pennsylvania and Philadelphia Bar Associations. Both organizations have way more expertise in this field than the average voter, and they carry noun reviews of every candidate. We've listed their overall recommendation adjacent to each judicial candidate, only yous can likewise read more detailed assessments at the links in a higher place. It's kind of like Yelp for judges.

All caught upwards? Cool. Here's what you'll meet on your election and what it means:

District Attorney

This race won't actually be at the top of your ballot (information technology volition be buried beneath the local and statewide judicial races mentioned above), but it should exist tiptop of listen. As chief prosecutor for the Urban center, the Commune Attorney determines what crimes will exist prosecuted, and the severity of the charges. You may be asking, "Don't judges have the final say in sentencing?" Sure, if the example goes to trial. Only the vast majority of cases are actually decided by plea bargain, meaning the DA's role has an incredible amount of power and discretion.

Somewhere between his $62,000 settlement to the Philadelphia Ethics Board and his 23-count federal indictment on corruption and bribery charges, incumbent Seth Williams made what many would call a prudent decision not to seek reelection. Since then, this wide-open up race has rapidly evolved from a fight for the "to the lowest degree-probablehoped-for-indicted" into more than substantive talk of policy and justice. You tin watch a recent debate here.

Democrats volition pick up to one candidate:

• Rich Negrin
• Joe Khan
• Michael Due west Untermeyer
• Tariq Karim El-Shabazz
• Lawrence Krasner
• Teresa Carr Deni
• John O'Neill

Republicans get all the thrills of pushing a ballot push button, without all of the anxiety of having to choose. Beth Grossman is the lone "R" in this one.

City CONTROLLER

The Metropolis Controller is the tiptop fiscal watchdog of the city, auditing expenditures of the urban center government. This race tends to take a back seat to the more high-profile District Attorney contest. It'southward also incredibly of import, which is why we organized a contempo debate with the Committee of Lxx. Watch our Facebook Live recording here.

Democrats can vote to reelect incumbent Alan Butkovitz, or opt for challenger Rebecca Rhynhart, Mayor Jim Kenney'southward old Chief Administrative Officeholder.

Republicans have a single candidate again: Michael Tomlinson is unopposed.

JUSTICE OF THE SUPREME Courtroom

This statewide race is for a seat in Pennsylvania'due south summit court, which handles appeals and disputes from the lower courts.

Dwayne Woodruff is the unopposed Democratic candidate. He is "Recommended" past PA Bar Association.

Sallie Mundy is unopposed on the Republican side. She is "Highly Recommended" by PA Bar Clan.

Gauge OF THE SUPERIOR COURT

The PA Superior Courtroom is a statewide entity that handles appeals from the Courts of Common Pleas in criminal cases and in matters involving children and families. It commonly hands down the final conclusion in these matters.

Democrat (Vote for up to 4)

• Carolyn H Nichols – "Recommended" by PA Bar Association
• Geoff Moulton – "Highly Recommended" by PA Bar Association
• Maria Mclaughlin – "Recommended" by PA Bar Association
• Debbie Kunselman – "Highly Recommended" by PA Bar Clan
• Bill Caye – "NOT Recommended" by PA Bar Association

Republican (Vote for up to iv)

• Emil Giordano – "Highly Recommended" by PA Bar Association
• Craig Stedman – "Highly Recommended" by PA Bar Clan
• Wade A Kagarise – "Highly Recommended" past PA Bar Association
• Mary Murray – Not assessed by PA or Philadelphia Bar Association
• Paula A Patrick – "Highly Recommended" by PA Bar Association

Approximate OF THE COMMONWEALTH Court

This intermediate court is unique to Pennsylvania. It is responsible for cases involving government agencies and regulatory bodies, as well equally any lawsuits filed by or confronting the Republic. Information technology'southward these judges who decide the fate of state laws—something all the more than important in the adjacent four years, as Pres. Trump sends issues of wellness, education, women'south rights and the environment to united states.

Democrat (Vote for upwardly to 2)

• Timothy Barry – "Recommended" past PA Bar Clan
• Joe Cosgrove – "Highly Recommended" by PA Bar Association
• Ellen Ceisler – "Recommended" by PA Bar Clan
• Todd Eagen – "Recommended" by PA Bar Association
• Irene M Clark – "Not Recommended" by PA Bar Clan
• Bryan Barbin – "Recommended" by PA Bar Association

Republican (Vote for up to ii)

• Paul Lalley – "Recommended" past PA Bar Association
• Christine Fizzano Cannon – "Highly Recommended" by PA Bar Association

JUDGE OF THE COURT OF Common PLEAS

This is Pennsylvania's court of general trial jurisdiction. Philadelphia's 90 Common Pleas Court judges are divided into trial, family, and orphans' divisions.

Democrat (Vote for up to 9)

• Stella Tsai – "Recommended" by the Philadelphia Bar Association
• Vikki Kristiansson – "Recommended" by the Philadelphia Bar Association
• Deborah Cianfrani – "Non Recommended" by the Philadelphia Bar Association
• John Macoretta – "Recommended" past the Philadelphia Bar Clan
• Rania Major – "Non Recommended" by the Philadelphia Bar Association
• Henry Mcgregor Sias – "Recommended" by the Philadelphia Bar Clan
• Lawrence J Bozzelli – "Recommended" past the Philadelphia Bar Association
• Vincent Furlong – "Recommended" by the Philadelphia Bar Association
• Brian Mclaughlin – "Recommended" past the Philadelphia Bar Association
• Shanese Johnson – "Not Recommended" by the Philadelphia Bar Association
• Marker B Cohen – "Non Recommended" past the Philadelphia Bar Clan
• Daniel R Sulman – "Recommended" by the Philadelphia Bar Association
• Leon Goodman – "Recommended" by the Philadelphia Bar Association
• Deborah Canty – "Recommended" by the Philadelphia Bar Association
• Wendi Barish – "Recommended" by the Philadelphia Bar Association
• Leonard Deutchman – "Recommended" by the Philadelphia Bar Association
• Zac Shaffer – "Recommended" by the Philadelphia Bar Association
• Jennifer Schultz – "Recommended" past the Philadelphia Bar Association
• Vincent Melchiorre – "Non Recommended" by the Philadelphia Bar Association
• Jon Marshall – "Recommended" past the Philadelphia Bar Clan
• David Conroy – "Recommended" by the Philadelphia Bar Association
• Mark J Moore – "Recommended" past the Philadelphia Bar Association
• Danyl Southward Patterson – "NOT Recommended" by the Philadelphia Bar Clan
• Terri M Booker – "Not Recommended" past the Philadelphia Bar Association
• Lucretia C Clemons – "Recommended" by the Philadelphia Bar Association
• Crystal B Powell – "Non Recommended" by the Philadelphia Bar Association
• Bill Rice – "Non Recommended" past the Philadelphia Bar Association

Republican (Legally you can vote for up to ix. Practically, you tin vote for up to one.)

• Vincent Furlong – "Recommended" by the Philadelphia Bar Association

Approximate OF THE  MUNICIPAL Court

At this first level of Pennsylvania's judiciary, Philadelphia's Municipal Court judges decide whether serious cases move to the Commonwealth Court, behave preliminary hearings and arraignments, and gear up and take bail in about cases.

Democrat (Vote for up to two)

• Matt Wolf – "Recommended" by the Philadelphia Bar Association
• Marissa Brumbach – "Recommended" by the Philadelphia Bar Association
• George Twardy – "Recommended" by the Philadelphia Bar Association
• Jon Marshall – "Recommended" by the Philadelphia Bar Association
• Sherman Toppin – "NOT Recommended" by the Philadelphia Bar Association
• Nib Rice – "Non Recommended" by the Philadelphia Bar Association

JUDGE OF ELECTION AND INSPECTOR OF ELECTION

These folks are your neighbors, and must live in your voting segmentation (e.g. 2-06 means Ward 2, Division vi). Two inspectors in each division make sure the polling machines are upward and running on fourth dimension, and one judge of election ensures everything is setup in compliance with state and local laws.

At that place are ane,686 divisions in the metropolis, and so we propose heading over to the Committee of Seventy's folio for Excel and PDF versions.

BALLOT QUESTIONS

Recollect, you Practice NOT demand to be registered as a Democrat or Republican to vote on election questions. Getting a city lease amendment on the ballot requires a two-thirds vote of City Councilmembers. Once they are on the ballot, it takes simply a uncomplicated majority (i.eastward. greater than 50 percent) of "yes" votes by the public for each amendment to get law.

While they do not endorse candidates, the Committee of Seventy does weigh in on these matters of good governance. You can read their opinion on both questions here and decide for yourself.

PROPOSED Lease CHANGE QUESTIONS NO. i

Shall The Philadelphia Abode Rule Charter exist amended to allow for the award of sure contracts based on all-time value to the City? Yep / No

The Metropolis Procurement Commissioner is responsible for buying equipment to continue the city running, and contracting for services like structure. Currently, they are obligated to make their pick based on best toll, as long equally the provider is accounted a "responsible business." A "aye" vote on this amendment acknowledges that price isn't always the best indicator of value. Detractors warn the linguistic communication is besides vague, while supporters cite whatsoever movement toward value-based purchasing as an improvement to our current method.

PROPOSED CHARTER CHANGE QUESTION NO. 2

Shall The Philadelphia Home Rule Lease exist amended to provide for the creation of a Philadelphia Community Reinvestment Commission to exist charged with recommending coordinated community reinvestment strategies for the Metropolis of Philadelphia by identifying opportunities for public, individual, and philanthropic entities to collaborate and leverage their resources for the public proficient? Yes / No

This amendment would establish a 21-member commission, made upwards of a mix of Mayoral appointees, Councilmembers, and other city officials. The Commission would develop recommendations to the Mayor and Council to "leverage private, public, and philanthropic resources for the individual good." It'southward somewhat unclear what programs or initiatives Council may take in mind. One thing is clear: This commission is just a recommending trunk–they would not accept any authority to create or enact laws.

Header photo by Paul Sableman via Flickr

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Source: https://thephiladelphiacitizen.org/voting-tuesday-heres-need-know/

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