On May 19, Philadelphia voters will choose from a list of candidates vying to become their next governor, lieutenant governor, congressperson, state senator, and state representative. This vote dictates who will advance to November’s general election. Philadelphians will also consider two ballot measures that could change the city’s home rule charter.
Despite Pennsylvania being a closed primary state, ballot questions will be visible to all voters, even to those unaffiliated with a party. Here's a breakdown of the questions Philly will consider.
Ballot Question #1
Shall the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter be amended to provide for the creation of the Philadelphia Retirement Savings Board to oversee a defined contribution retirement program for the benefit of eligible private-sector workers, and to authorize City Council to determine the composition, powers and duties of the board?
What this means:
Only 47% of older Philadelphians receive retirement income, according to the AARP.
Last June, City Council introduced a proposal to establish a retirement savings program known as PhillySaves. This program allows anyone working in the private or nonprofit sector for a Philadelphia-based employer (who does not provide a retirement plan) to be automatically enrolled in the city’s initiative.
The program is modeled after state-run auto-IRA programs, which allow employees to invest via payroll deductions. Although Pennsylvania does not have an auto-IRA program, 15 other states do. Philadelphia would not be the first municipality to attempt such a program. New York City and Seattle both passed similar initiatives, but later folded them into their respective state programs.
For PhillySaves, eligible employees would contribute 3% to 6% of their wages to the IRA, and have the option to change their contributions or opt out entirely.
A board of nine appointees would oversee the program. The mayor and City Council President each select four members, while the City Controller chooses one.
If voters vote “yes,” this will approve the creation of the Philadelphia Retirement Savings Board as an independent entity within city government.
Ballot Question #2
Shall the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter be amended to provide for the creation of the Office of the Youth Ombudsperson to improve the safety and quality of services for youth placed in juvenile justice, child welfare, and behavioral health residential care facilities, and to authorize City Council to determine additional powers and duties of the Youth Ombudsperson as needed to carry out this mission?
What this means:
An ombudsperson is a government official designated as a neutral party who advocates on behalf of residents experiencing issues with government-provided services.
The Office of the Youth Ombudsperson was established in 2022 by then-mayor Jim Kenney, but it is not a permanent office. Its formation is one of several recommendations made by the Youth Residential Placement Taskforce. A 2019 report found that teens of color were disproportionately being put in residential placement, and their rights to safety and education were not being protected.
Since its creation, its duties include responding to complaints regarding the care of youth in placement, evaluating the quality of care, and providing know-your-rights trainings.
If the majority of voters vote “yes”, this will amend the charter to make it a permanent office for the city.
Ballot Question #3
Update: On April 6, City Council approved a bill to remove a ballot question on the city's resign-to-run rule from next month's ballot. The above questions will remain.
The city charter requires any city official to resign from their post before campaigning for public office. The only exemption is if they’re running for their current office.
The rule was most evident during the 2023 mayoral election, when six members of City Council, including now-Mayor Cherelle Parker, resigned to run.
Note that this rule only applies to city officials, and not state and federal officials. For example, State Rep. Morgan Cephas was running for the 3rd Congressional District seat until she dropped out at the end of March. She did not have to resign from her post in the State House and is running for reelection in that role this May.
Attempts to amend this rule have failed twice in the voting booth. Councilmember Isaiah Thomas introduced a narrower revision to the legislation: City officials would not resign to run for a state or federal position, but would still be required to resign to campaign for mayor.
Despite support in City Council, Thomas moved to repeal his own legislation at the end of March, as he's no longer confident in voters’ support of the measure.
Eligible voters can vote in person on May 19 or request and mail a ballot by May 12.
