Election News from Committee of Seventy

A new podcast, more voters (please) and Best Value

Seven candidates are running in the Democratic primary for District Attorney. Learn more.

20 by Seventy: In which we do justice to the Philly DA’s race

NewsWorks.org’s Dave Davies and Solomon Jones (NewsWorks, WURD) discuss the race for Philly District Attorney. Seventy’s David Thornburgh explains why it’s a great example of the need to consider open primaries and ranked-choice voting. And we give a shout out to Phillymag’s Holly Otterbein for her reporting on the DA contest. Listen on SoundCloud.

The primary’s May 16—Tell Your Friends

We know you’ll be at the polls on May 16, but tell your friends to vote. If every voter got even one (registered) nonvoter to the polls, the frustratingly low DA/Controller primary turnout would double! (OK, to only about 20%, but it’s a start.) And point your friends to Seventy’s May 16, 2017 Primary Election Guide and the new Ballot Tool, powered by BallotReady, that enables you to build and share your own “sample ballot.”

Dueling sample ballots

“Sample ballot” flyers from party workers aren’t the only ones you’ll be offered if you vote at 100 randomly selected polling places around the city. Philadelphia Bar Association volunteers will also have flyers featuring the Association’s recommendations for local judicial races. It’s part of an effort to disseminate the ratings more effectively and to collect data that the Bar Association will use in future judicial elections. Register online if you’d like to volunteer for the project.

We’re backing “Best Value”

Seventy recently announced its support of the May 16 ballot question that, if approved, would amend the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter to allow certain city contracts to be awarded through a “best value” process instead of to the “lowest responsible bidder.” See the press release and summary position.

Photos by David Swanson and Clem Murray – Philly.com Staff Photographers

Controller Debate on May 9th

Democratic City Controller candidates Alan Butkovitz and Rebecca Rhynhart will square off in a debate on Tuesday, May 9, 6:00 to 7:30 p.m., at Industrious Philadelphia. Reserve your seats. Registration is FREE, but space is limited.

And just what does the City Controller do? Here’s the Philadelphia Citizen’s take on it.