Here we go. Another political election cycle is upon us. Come Tuesday, May 16, 2023, voters in Philadelphia and across the Commonwealth, we have some decisions to make about whom they want to represent them. So who is running, and What’s at Stake?
I could almost say Lottie, Dotty, and everybody is running for one political office or another. I don’t mean to sound snide or even judgmental; I’m just saying there are a ton of candidates running for office in the upcoming May Primary.
The reality is some of the names of people who say they’re running might very well change between now and the deadline date, for example, to turn in all petitions for candidates who are running.
However, before I get to deadline dates for when candidates are supposed to have handled certain requirements to run, let’s just get to the offices up for grabs.
The top job for the city of Philadelphia, the Mayor’s office, is up for grabs. Thus far, it’s been publicized that ten individuals have tossed their hats in the ring for that job. It all still remains to be seen if any additional people will announce a run for Mayor and if any of those who already announced–will back out.
All seventeen city council seats are up for grabs this election cycle.
The Sheriff’s office is up for grabs, as is the Registrar of Wills office, the City Controller’s office, three City Commissioner seats, and several other political offices.
I actually visited the Philadelphia City Commissioners’ website as I was preparing this column to make certain I didn’t leave any offices off my list that are up for grabs this year. Generally, I think the Commissioner’s website is a very good place to go, and get solid election information. However, as I prepared this SCOOP Civics 101 column, I was surprised to find that other than important dates to remember for the 2023 election cycle, the majority of the information on that site, as of January 12th, was information about the 2022 elections. Time to catch up with City Commissioners. We need updated info on your website almost daily as quickly as things are starting to evolve with this May 2023 Primary. The official website for our city commissioners is www.vote.phila.gov.
The first date to circulate and file petitions is February 14, 2023. The last day to file and circulate petitions is Tuesday, March 7, 2023.
The last day to file objections to nomination petitions is Tuesday, March 14, 2023.
The last day for withdrawal by candidates who filed nomination petitions is Wednesday, March 22, 2023.
The primary election is Tuesday, May 16, 2023, in Pennsylvania.
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