Ever think about running for office? Start with a neighborhood-level race. Election Officers (poll workers) are next on the ballot in 2021 and committeepeople (local party representatives) in 2022. Download Seventy's Philadelphia's 2015-2025 Election Schedule.
How to Run for Committeeperson:
Members of the Ward Executive Committee, better known as committeepeople, are party positions that were elected in the May 2018 Primary Election. A committeeperson is his or her political party’s representative in each division. Committeepeople serve as a point of contact between the voters in a division and elected officials and their political party. Committeepeople are considered party officers – not public officials or government employees. (Learn more about the ward system.)
Committeeperson elections will occur in May 2022. Download Seventy's "How to Run for Committeeperson" manual. Interested individuals may find helpful information on the job of a committeeperson and running for the position from their local ward leader or incumbent committeepeople.
How to Run for Election Officer:
In Pennsylvania, three of the five people who run each polling place on Election Day are elected officials themselves. These positions -- the Judge of Election or Inspector of Election -- will next be on the ballot in 2021. See below for information on appointed Clerk and Machine Inspector positions. For information about running for Election Officer, download Seventy's"How to Run for Election Officer" guide.
Individuals interested in serving as a Clerk in their division should contact their 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.
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. Submit your information online if interested in serving in this position.
Live in a county other than Philly? Check your local County Board of Elections website for more information about running for Election Officer.
Resources are also available from the following agencies:
- Pennsylvania Department of State
- Philadelphia County Board of Elections
- Philadelphia Board of Ethics
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.