Jabari Jones/Facebook photo.

Jabari K. Jones, a community advocate and small-business advocate, announced his candidacy for the City Council’s 3rd District seat on Friday. He will run against incumbent Jamie Gauthier in the 2023 primary election. Gauthier kicked off her re-election campaign on January 21.

“I have been called to run for this seat by residents that want results over rhetoric and problem solving over photo ops,” Jones said in a statement prior to Friday’s event. “Our community deserves bold leadership that understands the effect of legislation and holds the government accountable to the people of the Third District.”

Jones has said that gun violence, housing, and developing economic opportunities for the community are the reasons he is running for City Council. As The Philadelphia Inquirer (subscription-based service) noted last week, Jones would focus more on solving crime than unproven prevention strategies. Continue Reading

It’s General Election Eve and here are a few logistical things to keep in mind about the big day tomorrow.

Those who haven’t voted early, there are dozens of polling places around West Philadelphia; to find your polling place, go here. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. An ID is not required to vote unless you are voting for the first time or have recently moved. As long as you are in line by 8 p.m., you can vote.

Check your voter registration status here.

If you still plan to vote by mail, you can. Just drop off your ballot at one of the mail-in voting centers until 8 p.m. tomorrow. Here’s the info for that. Keep in mind that it’s too late to apply for a mail-in ballot and please note that polling places are not for dropping off your mail or absentee ballot. Continue Reading

The Philadelphia City Commissioners is holding mobile staffed ballot drop-off events at various Philadelphia Free Library branches ahead of the November 8th General Election. Personnel from the Board of Elections will be on hand to collect voted Absentee and Mail-in ballots.

Here’s the schedule of such events in West and Southwest Philadelphia:

• Tuesday, Oct. 25 and Nov. 1, 10 a.m.-12 p.m. & 1 p.m.-4 p.m.:

Overbrook Park Library, 7422 Haverford Ave

• Wednesday, Oct. 26 and Nov. 2, 11 a.m.-12 p.m. & 1 p.m.-4 p.m.: Continue Reading

Just a reminder that today is primary election day. We wanted to pass along a few things to keep in mind as you head to the polls, which are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. You are allowed to vote as long as you are in line by 8 p.m.

Pennsylvania conducts closed primaries, so you can only vote for candidates from the party for which you are registered. If you are registered Independent, sorry no primary candidates for you, but you can still vote on the four city ballot measures.

Candidates for governor and lieutenant governor, U.S. Senate, state house and senate are on the ballot.

Here are the basics: Continue Reading

Residents of Spruce Hill, Cedar Park, Garden Court and other West Philly neighborhoods will have a chance to hear from some local Democratic political candidates this week, ahead of the May 17 primary election. The 27th Ward of the Philadelphia Democratic Committee is hosting a Candidates’ Forum on Thursday, April 21, at 7 p.m. with the following participants:

• State Rep. Rick Krajewski, incumbent (188th District)

• State Rep. Candidate James Wright (188th District)

• State Senator Anthony H. Williams, incumbent (8th District)

• State Senator Candidate Paul Prescod (8th District) Continue Reading

Today is Election Day and polls are open until 8 p.m. Click here to find your polling place and click here to check your registration status.

Four local ballot measures include a question that would “call on the Pennsylvania General Assembly and Governor to decriminalize the use of non-medical marijuana.” Another asks if you would like the City to set aside a small portion of the budget each year (0.5 percent or about $25 million this year) to fund affordable housing programs.

Two local offices are on today’s ballot: district attorney and city controller. Incumbent District Attorney Larry Krasner, a Democrat, is expected to cruise to victory. Incumbent Rebecca Rhynhart is a shoe-in for city controller – she is running unopposed.

Several judicial seats are also on the ballot. A rundown of the Pa. Supreme Court election and other state and local courts is here.