🗳️ Your cheatsheet for next week’s election

💰 Ongoing Budget Impasse Is “Chaos on Purpose”

Although top legislative leaders gathered in Gov. Shapiro’s office twice this week, it seems the conversations have yet to bear any fruit. So what gives? State Rep. Joanna McClinton is one of the few people directly involved in these budget negotiations and she shares an update on what’s going on at our state capital. [Kate Huangpu via X, 🎧 City Cast Philly]

🌊 Philly and Camden Pour Billions of Sewage Into Our River

The city invested billions of dollars into a program to fix the sewer system, but it hasn’t been enough to stop 12.7 billion gallons of raw sewage mixed with stormwater from seeping into our waterways, putting recreational activities at risk. [🎧 City Cast Philly, 🔒 The Inquirer]

🥫 Carryover SNAP Benefits Are Still Safe

If you have existing SNAP benefits on your EBT card, you can still use them after Nov. 1 despite the pause in benefits due to the federal shutdown. However recipients are still expected to fill out paperwork for the program and report whether work requirements are met. [CBS Philly]

• Related: Here are other ways to use your SNAP/EBT card. [📝 City Cast Philly]

💡 Philly Brightens Up the City With Completed LED Project

The Philly Streetlight Improvement Project replaced over 130,000 high-pressure sodium streetlights with lights that are brighter, use less electricity, and need fewer repairs. On more than 13,000 city blocks where streetlights were replaced, researchers found a 15% drop in outdoor crime in 2023 and 2024. [Philly Voice]

• Related: The new lights are designated to be dark sky compliant, which can reduce light pollution and protect wildlife. [📝 City Cast Philly]

Election Day is Nov. 4. Do you know who or what you’re voting for? If your answer is “no” or “not really,” here’s a quick guide to help you prepare before heading to the polls or dropping off your ballot.

🗓️ When & Where To Vote

If you opted to vote by mail, you should have already received your ballot. You have until 8 p.m. on Nov. 4 to return your ballot to the Philadelphia County Board of Elections at City Hall at 1400 John F. Kennedy Blvd. You can also drop your ballot at a dropbox at one of the city’s satellite offices.

Because ballots must be returned by election night, mail them back ASAP or drop them off directly.

If you are voting in-person, polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. If you’re in line by the time polls close, stay in line as you still have the right to vote. You can find your polling place here.

📝 What’s on the Ballot?

Philly voters will be voting for candidates at the municipal and state level. Because this is a general election, you can vote for candidates outside of your registered party. The following candidates are up for election and retention:

• Pennsylvania Supreme Court Justices: Three of the seven justices are up for retention for another 10-year term — Christine Donohue, Kevin Dougherty, and David Wecht – and all are recommended by the Pennsylvania Bar Association.
• Pennsylvania Superior Court Judges: Democrat Brandon Neuman vs. Republican Maria Battista (Neuman is highly recommended by the Pennsylvania Bar Association & Battista is not recommended). Additionally Judge Alice Beck Dubow is up for retention for another 10-year term and recommended by the Pennsylvania Bar Association.
• Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court Judges: Democrat Stella Tsai vs. Republican Matthew Wolford (both highly recommended by the Pennsylvania Bar Association). Additionally Judge Michael Wojcik is up for another 10-year term and recommended by the Pennsylvania Bar Association.
• Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas Judges: There are 11 candidates for 11 seats, with only Joseph J. Russo not recommended by the Philadelphia Bar Association. An additional 13 judges are running to be retained for 10-year terms, and four of those judges are not recommended by the Philadelphia Bar Association: Daine Grey, Scott DiClaudio, Frank Palumbo, and Lyris F. Younge.
• Philadelphia Municipal Court: Four Democrats — Sherrie Cohen, Amanda Davidson, Cortez Patton, Michael Parkinson — are vying for four seats. No Republicans are running, and only Davidson and Parkinson are recommended by the Philadelphia Bar Association.
• District Attorney: Democrat Larry Krasner (incumbent) vs. Republican Pat Dugan
• City Controller: Democrat Christy Brady (incumbent) vs. Republican Ari Patrinos