Voting time is here. It’s now. If you didn’t already vote by mail, today is the day to vote if it’s Tuesday, May 18th. Not sure where to go to vote? Call the City Commissioner’s Office at 215-686-3462.
What offices are up for grabs in Philadelphia? The Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office is up for grabs. Democrat Larry Krasner is the incumbent District Attorney, but surprising to many, Krasner did not get an endorsement for reelection from the City Democratic Committee. They usually always endorse incumbents, but this time, instead, they endorsed Krasner’s Democratic opponent Vega, a former Assistant District Attorney in Philadelphia. On the Republican side, the candidate running for district attorney is Charles (Chuck) Peruto, Jr.
The Philadelphia City Controller’s office is up for grabs, but the only person who seems to want that gig already has it, Democrat Rebecca Reinhart, who has no opponent in the primary. Then there’s the position of Judge of Elections and Inspector of Elections. These individuals, if elected don’t sit on the bench. They don’t have to be lawyers before be- coming a Judge. They sit in the polling places and watch over the voting process. If there’s a problem or concern, the Judge of elections and the Inspector of Elections, check out the concern and try and rectify it.
There’s a slew of attorneys who are running for Judge, locally and statewide. On the local level, there are seven seats available at the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas. At Philadelphia Municipal Court, there’s one seat available.
At the statewide level, there’s an opening on the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. There’s an opening on the Pennsylvania Superior Court and, there’s an opening on the Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court. There’s at least five African American Judges from Philadelphia, that are candidates for statewide judgeships in the May 18th Primary.
Also, don’t forget about the all-important ballot questions on Primary Election Day. Thanks to my Sorority Sister Vernoca Michaels, she sent me the easiest explanation behind each ballot question that I’ve seen during this campaign cycle. It’s in plain English. All total, there are five questions on the ballot:
Ballot Question #1
Relating to Termination or Extension of Disaster Emergency Declarations
NO: Means the governor can act quickly to deliver federal dollars and state aid, and a two-thirds majority of the legislature is needed to end a declaration
YES: Means the party in power can end an emergency declaration at any time, regardless of how severe or dangerous the emergency is
Ballot Question #2
Disaster Emergency Declaration and Management
NO: Means a disaster response will continue for as long as needed
YES: Means a disaster emergency automatically ends after 21 days, even if the legislature is unable to meet and extend it.
Ballot Question #3
Prohibition Against Denial or Abridgment of Equality of Rights Because of Race or Ethnicity
YES: Means that our state constitution would be updated to include equal protections based on race and ethnicity
NO: Means that our state constitution would continue to lack protections for discrimination based on race or ethnicity
Ballot Question #4
“Do you favor expanding the use of the indebtedness authorized under the referendum for loans to volunteer fire companies, volunteer ambulance services, and volunteer rescue squads?
YES: You support expanding PA’s loan program to paid municipal, as well as volunteer, fire, and emergency medical services companies
NO: You support keeping PA’s loan program available to volunteer fire and emergency medical service companies and not to paid municipal fire and emergency medical services companies.
Ballot Question #5
Shall The Philadelphia Home Rule Charter be amended to provide for an expanded Board of License Inspection Review that can hear and decide cases in three-member panels?
YES: Would allow the Board to increase to nine members and allow the Board Chair to designate groups of three members to hear and decide cases, which might allow the process to move more quickly and clear the backlog.
NO: Keep the system as it is, with the full Board consisting of six members, the majority of whom must participate in order to hear a case. This would minimize efforts to clear the backlog.
If you are a registered voter, and you did not yet vote by mail for the May 18, 2021, PA Primary Election, the time to vote is now. Polls open at 7 am on May 18th and remain open until 8 pm in PA. Any questions about voting, log on at www.votespa.com or call 215-686-VOTE. If you see someone on election day doing something you think is il- legal, report it, first to the Election Judge inside the polling place where you see the problem. If you do not get satisfaction there, call the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office. Voter intimidation is illegal. Speak up and speak out and make sure your voice is heard at the polls and your votes are counted.
