Be The Change You Want To See
Have an issue you’re passionate about? Think you could do better than the folks currently in office? Answer the call to public service and run for elected office! You don’t have to have an Ivy League degree. And your uncle doesn’t have to be a Ward Leader. Here are some resources that can get you started from the entry levels of party politics in Philly to the government office in Harrisburg.
Resources
Run for Committeeperson
Committeepeople are members of the Ward Executive Committee elected in the Primary Election. They serve as a point of contact between the voters in a division, elected officials and their political party. For information, see Seventy’s “How to Run for Committeeperson” manual.
Run for Election Officer
In Pennsylvania, three of the five people who run each polling place on Election Day are elected officials themselves, including the Judge of Elections or Inspector of Elections. For information about running for Election Officer, download Seventy’s “How to Run for Election Officer” guide.
Become A Clerk
Interested in serving as a Clerk in your division? Contact your neighborhood Minority Inspector. As an elected Election Officer, the Minority Inspector appoints the Clerk for their Election Board prior to each election. A list of incumbent Minority Inspectors in Philadelphia is available online.
Become a Machine Inspector
The Philadelphia City Commissioners appoint Machine Inspectors for divisions where a Judge of Election is unable to do so. Unlike the other Election Board positions, Machine Inspectors must only be a registered voter in the county. Interested in serving in this position? Submit your information online!
Stay Informed About Judicial Elections
Find information on judicial elections from Pennsylvanians for Modern Courts, a nonprofit, nonpartisan watchdog for the judicial system. Candidates are strongly advised to review the Judicial Conduct Board of Pennsylvania’s Code of Judicial Conduct. Open seats on local- and state-level courts are on the ballot in odd-numbered years.
Additional Resources
Helpful resources are also available from the following agencies:
Pennsylvania Department of State
Learn more about statewide elections and running for office.
Philadelphia County Board of Elections
Learn more about Philadelphia candidates and elections.
Philadelphia Board of Ethics
Learn more about how to start a campaign and follow campaign finance law in Philadelphia.
Need Help?
Email bettergov@seventy.org or call us at 215-557-3600.