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WURD on Democracy: Your Vote Matters in 2024
Your Vote Matters. Our Democracy Matters.
WURD on Democracy is WURD Radio’s voter education and engagement initiative focusing on the 2024 elections — national and state, general and primary. Our goal is to ensure that WURD’s audience, which makes up a vital demographic in Pennsylvania, a key swing state, has what they need to make an informed decision. Voter turnout is critically important, and WURD on Democracy encourages everyone to make their voice heard.
Check this page for key voter resources and audio, video and written content from WURD Radio and our partners to help you make your decisions in this year’s elections. And be sure to tune in to WURD Radio on Election Day November 5 for all-day coverage and a special five-hour broadcast starting at 7 p.m. to cover one of the most consequential national elections in recent memory.
WURD on Democracy is a part of Every Voice, Every Vote, a collaborative project managed by The Lenfest Institute for Journalism. The William Penn Foundation provides lead support for Every Voice, Every Vote in 2024 and 2025. To learn more about the project and view a full list of supporters, visit www.everyvoice-everyvote.org. Editorial content is created independently of the project’s donors.
Voter Resources
The deadline to apply for a mail-in ballot is 5:00PM on Tuesday, October 29. Your application must be received in the county board of elections office by that time. Postmarks do not count.
Find more information and other important links to make sure you are ready to go to the polls:
- Register to vote online
- Find your polling place
- Vote by mail instructions
- Find your state representatives
For justice-impacted individuals: 2024 is the 25th anniversary of legislation being passed that gave formerly incarcerated people in Pennsylvania the right to vote immediately after release.
Any formerly incarcerated person can vote, regardless of the charges, and even on probation, parole, or house arrest. Incarcerated individuals who are not currently serving time on a felony conviction — those awaiting trial, those who have been convicted of a misdemeanor — can vote. They need to request a mail-in ballot by the October 29th deadline.
FACT CHECKING RESOURCES
Voters are awash in information minute-by-minute — and some of that is misinformation or disinformation. Use this list for a quick way to verify claims or news stories that you see on social media and other places where the origin of the information is unclear.
- PolitiFact
- FactCheck.org
- Snopes
- TruthOrFiction.com
- AFP Fact Check
- The Washington Post Fact Checker
- Poynter’s International Fact-Checking Network (IFCN)
- Reuters Fact Check
Not all media sources disclose their political leanings. And some media outlets lean slightly left or slightly right. Below are sites where you can learn more about a news organizations political or ideological leanings.
2024 Election Year Playlist
Dive into our curated playlist featuring some of the most insightful interviews from WURD Radio. This collection spotlights key voices and perspectives shaping the 2024 presidential election. From in-depth analyses to candid conversations with political leaders and commentators, these interviews provide a comprehensive look at the issues and personalities driving the race. Listen, learn, and stay informed with WURD on Democracy.
WURD at the 2024 Democratic National Convention
If you missed any of WURD Radio’s conversations, live at the 2024 Democratic National Convention, we’ve got you covered. Spearheaded by Wake Up With WURD host, Solomon Jones, listen to the inspiring and engaging interviews, discussions and key insights with our 2024 DNC playlist below.
DNC Articles
Discover insightful articles covering the Democratic National Convention (DNC), written by Wake Up With WURD host Solomon Jones, below. Using his keen understanding of political dynamics and a commitment to social justice, Jones captures the essence of the DNC, offering readers a nuanced perspective on key issues and speeches.
The Pennsylvania Primaries
Pennsylvania’s primary election takes place April 23. In primary elections, members of a political party choose who they want to run for office during the November general election. If you are registered to vote as a Democrat, you can vote in the Democratic primary. If you are registered as a Republican, you vote in the Republican primary. You must be registered to a specific party in order to vote in the Pennsylvania primary election.
This year’s primary election features competitive state-level races for attorney general and auditor general. So while all eyes and ears are on November, it’s important for you to make your voice heard in April as well.
Now is the time to check your voter AND party registration status. The last day to register to be eligible to vote in the primary is April 8. Not registered? Click here to make sure you are eligible to vote on April 23.
Ways to Vote
There are three ways to cast your ballot in the primaries:
- Vote in person on April 23 – polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- Absentee ballots are for those who cannot make it to the voting booth in person
- Mail-in ballots are available to all eligible voters.
The last day to apply for a mail-in or absentee ballot is April 16.
The General Assembly
Before casting your ballot, all voters need to be aware of the Pennsylvania General Assembly, which consists of the state Senate and the House of Representatives. Members of the Senate are elected every four years, and members of the House are elected every two years.
Currently, the assembly has 253 seats: 50 in the Senate and 203 in the House. Democrats hold a one-seat majority in the House, and Republicans hold the majority by six seats in the Senate.
The General Assembly has a vital impact on the lives of Pennsylvania citizens, especially Philadelphians, as they consider and vote on proposals that may even become law. This includes changes in education, affordable housing, crime reduction, cleanliness, and more.
WURD on Democracy: Live from the White House
View the full YouTube playlist that recaps more than 20 interviews WURD conducted from Washington D.C. with senior officials from the Biden-Harris administration. Hear directly from decision makers about what they have accomplished and what still needs to be done.
