After a messy presidential election in which a record number of voters cast provisional ballots, Mayor Nutter set up a task force to investigate what happened that day. Now he's seeking feedback from voters. Check out the press release below:
CITY OF PHILADELPHIA REQUESTS PUBLIC FEEDBACK ON ELECTION DAY VOTER EXPERIENCES
Philadelphia, January 28, 2013– Mayor Michael A. Nutter and Managing Director Richard Negrin announced an effort to hear about voters' experiences on Election Day, November 6, 2012. The request for public feedback is part of the Mayor's efforts to analyze what problems that occurred on Election Day and to make recommendations on improvements.
Mayor Nutter in early December appointed a six-member committee to review the November election: Managing Director Richard Negrin; Rev. Kevin Johnson of Bright Hope Baptist Church; Terry Gillen, the City's Director of Federal Affairs; Hope Caldwell, Chief Deputy Integrity Officer; Jordan Schwartz, Deputy Chief of Staff; and Nicole Harrington, Office of the Inspector General.
Two public meetings are currently scheduled: February 6, 2013 from 4:30 PM to 7:00 PM in the Mayor's Reception Room, 2nd floor of City Hall, and February 28, 2013 from 4:30 PM to 7:00 PM at Bright Hope Baptist Church, 1601 N. 12th Street.
"We've heard stories ranging from long-time voters not being found in the poll book to improperly filed provisional ballots. In most cases, though, these stories are anecdotes. We need to put names and faces on these problems," said Mayor Nutter.
Negrin said there are claims that voter registration delays caused inaccuracies in poll books, which in turn resulted in the increased use of provisional ballots.
"Slightly more than 4% of Philadelphians voted by provisional ballot. Our initial research shows that this is a much higher number than the rest of the state," Negrin continued. "We want to find out why it was higher and we need the public's help to do that."
Voters are encouraged to tell their stories or make recommendations by visiting the website www.phila.gov/election2012, and by calling or texting (267) 209-FACT. Voters need to include their contact information and voting location in case follow-up is needed. # # #