Philadelphia election 2023: Voters cast mail-in ballots ahead of Tuesday's deadline
Action News will have complete election results in Philadelphia and across the region Tuesday night once the polls close.
PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- Philadelphia voters dropped off mail-in ballots ahead of the 8 p.m. Tuesday deadline for the general election.
"This is for my mother," said Patricia Jordan, who dropped her 85-year-old mother's ballot off at a secure drop box outside of City Hall on Monday.
Jordan says her mother has inspired her to vote in every election since she was 18.
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"I'm one of those kids from down south during the civil rights movement, so that's why. My mom and dad fought for me to vote," Jordan said.
But, as in past elections, only a small number of Philadelphians feel the same way. In the last mayoral election in 2019, the turnout was 27.5%.
This year, the race for Philadelphia mayor has gotten much of the attention, with Democrat Cherelle Parker and Republican David Oh both vying to be the city's 100th mayor.
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Another race that has dominated the airwaves is the Philadelphia City Council and the crowded field of candidates running for the five at-large seats.
Two Republican and two Working Families nominees are vying for the two spots reserved for the non-majority parties.
In the 10th council district, longtime incumbent Republican Brian O'Neill faces Democrat Gary Masino.
"As it stands now it's likely Republicans may not have representation in city council at large," noted Mustafa Rashed, CEO and president of Bellevue Strategies. "Working Families, besides not being a fully chartered state party, they are a radical wing of the Democratic Party and so what we wind up with is a whole bunch of Democrats in council. Whether you're Republican or Democrat, single party rule isn't good for anyone."
Outside of Philadelphia, there are a number of races for boards of education, district attorney, and sheriff.
Every voter in Pennsylvania will decide who will serve on the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. Republican Carolyn Carluccio faces the Democrat Dan McCaffery.
"If the Pennsylvania Supreme Court has to play a role in deciding where our state's electoral votes go, again, I think people are concerned what the Republican and Democrat split will be on the court," noted Alison Young, a Republican strategist.
That race could also reveal what turnout could look like for the upcoming 2024 presidential election.
"It's going in the wrong direction if Philadelphia gets to the point where it no longer needs to be factored in statewide. I think that's a big problem for the county," said Rashed.
Meanwhile, some Pennsylvania voters are still adjusting to mail-in voting.
"Every vote will be protected, every vote will be counted," said Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner during a news conference on Monday.
RELATED | List of polling places for the 2023 general election in Philadelphia
His office is working to ensure the integrity of Tuesday's election and plans to activate an election task force with 40 attorneys working on any issues that might come up.
"This office is going to do everything in its power, along with other city entities, to make sure your vote is protected and you know what to do if there's any kind of interference," Krasner said.
Polls open in Pennsylvania from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
In New Jersey, they are open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.
There is no election in Delaware.
As of Monday afternoon, around 38,000 mail-in ballots had yet to be returned. They must be returned by 8 p.m. on Tuesday.
Action News will have complete election results in Philadelphia and across the region Tuesday night once the polls close.
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