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WURD on Democracy is WURD Radio’s voter education and engagement initiative focusing on getting people more involved in their neighborhoods and communities. Our goal is to ensure that WURD’s audience, which makes up a vital demographic in Pennsylvania, uses all of the levers of power available to them to create the communities they want.
There are several important elections for Pennsylvanian’s this year – Philadelphia’s district attorney office is up for a vote as well as judges at the local and state levels. Voter turnout is critical – and civic involvement is just as important. There are endless ways to make your voice heard beyond the ballot box.
Check this page for key resources and content from WURD Radio and our partners to help you make your decisions in this year’s elections and decide how you want to be involved in your community.
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.
Do you know what an R.C.O. is? R-C-Os, or Registered Community Organizations, are groups focused on the development of their communities and are present in nearly every area of Philadelphia.
City officials often look to R.C.O.s when making zoning and development decisions. These organizations help organize residents around elections and education and can connect people with vital social services. By getting involved with your local R.C.O. or starting one yourself, you can play a key role in shaping the growth and progress of your community.
Sites to visit:
A Neighborhood Improvement District (NID) is a designated area within a community that collects fees to fund local improvements. These improvements can include snow plowing, garbage collection, police services, beautification projects, and infrastructure upgrades.
Essentially, it’s a way for a community to self-fund enhancements and provide safety and services beyond what the general municipal budget can offer. NIDs also help promote economic and general welfare within the district!
To create a Neighborhood Improvement District, it’s a good idea to collaborate with local businesses, property owners, public officials, and community stakeholders.
With local elections approaching, now is the time to focus on how you can make your voice heard through your state representative. State reps propose, write, and vote on bills that affect laws in our state, covering critical areas such as education, healthcare, and criminal justice.
You can work with your state rep by reaching out through their constituent services for help with state agencies, local businesses, or any community concerns. Your state rep is an invaluable resource for addressing issues that impact your daily life.
Who represents your interests in Philadelphia? District council members are key figures in local government, involved in policy decisions, budget allocations and addressing community concerns.
You can engage with your District council member by collaborating on local projects or assisting with initiatives that matter to your community. Attending community meetings and participating in local events also helps build relationships with your Council Members.
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:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
There are three ways to cast your ballot in the primaries:
The last day to apply for a mail-in or absentee ballot is April 16.
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.
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.
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