Everything You Need to Know to Vote in the 2017 Philadelphia Primary

Photo by William Thomas Cain/Getty Images

Good morning and happy Election Day, Philly! Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

The city will likely pick its next district attorney today. (Yes, there will be a general election this fall, but the Republican candidate will face an uphill battle because of the Democratic Party’s 7-to-1 voter registration edge.) The choice is critical: It’s the DA’s job to prosecute crimes in Philadelphia, meaning he or she plays a major role in determining whether victims get justice, how many people go to prison every year, and if citizens trust law enforcement. Currently, Philadelphians have a lot of reasons not to have faith in the DA’s office: District Attorney Seth Williams has been indicted for allegedly seeking bribes and stealing from his own mother.

There are other important races on the ballot, too, including for city controller, judges and election board worker. Plus, there are two ballot questions to answer. If you haven’t heard of any of the candidates, or don’t know where your polling place is located, don’t worry! There’s still time to learn. Here’s everything you need to know to vote today:

• Our no-bullshit guide to the election. It’s a brutally honest explanation of the candidates on the ballot today.
• Our in-depth interviews with all of the contenders for district attorney.
• Our essay on the sharp left turn in the DA’s race.
• The Philadelphia Inquirer and Daily News endorsements.
• The Philadelphia Tribune endorsements.
• The Committee of Seventy’s guide to the election. The government watchdog group wrote an easy-to-understand explanation of all the races — including important details like what a city controller actually does — and created a nifty tool that lets you make your our own sample ballot.
• The absolute easiest way to find your polling place. You can also call the City Commissioners at 215-686-1591.
• A neat way to look at a sample ballot. Just enter the address where you’re registered to vote and the City Commissioner’s website will give you a sneak peek at today’s ballot.
• The Committee of Seventy’s guide to voter rights and responsibilities. 
• If you have any other questions about voting today in Philadelphia, call the City Commissioners at 215-686-1590. If you see anything suspicious or have a problem voting, you can call the District Attorney’s Election Fraud Task force at 215-686-9641.

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