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City Commissioners' Meeting Notes

03/18/2009

Notes from the March 18, 2009 City Commissioners’ meeting:

Luck of the Draw - Candidate Ballot Positions

In a municipal election, ballot position can win or lose a campaign. Winning candidates are often those who pull the #1 spot on the ballot for his or her race. Today, candidates found out their ballot position for the May 19th primary the traditional Philadelphia way - by drawing numbered chips from an empty Horn & Hardart coffee can.

District Attorney Democratic Primary Ballot Positions

1) Dan McElhatton
2) Michael Turner
3) Brian Grady
4) Seth Williams
5) Dan McCaffery

City Controller Democratic Primary Ballot Positions

1) John Braxton
2) Alan Butkovitz
3) Brett Mandel

In addition to the high-profile District Attorney and City Controller races, candidates in challenged Judge of Election and Inspector of Election races drew their ballot positions too. Note: Candidates who will be challenged in the May election, but weren’t at the drawing, can find out the ballot position drawn for them by calling the City Commissioners.

Challenges to Candidates

Three District Attorney candidates’ documents are being challenged, with the first hearings beginning tomorrow, March 19th, in Court of Common Pleas. Candidates Dan McCaffery, Michael Turner and Seth Williams all face challenges based on either their nomination petitions or statement of financial interest forms. In other races, several Judicial candidates, Judge of Election and Inspector of Election candidates also face challenges.

Watchers’ Certificates

Watchers’ certificates for the primary election are now available from the Board of Elections. Candidates needing watcher’s certificates should call Joe Lynch, Assistant Administrator of Election Activities at the Board of Elections at 215-686-1530, for instructions on applying for and picking them up.

A Call For Bi-lingual Interpreters

Bob Lee reported that letters will start going out to Ward Leaders and various organizations to recruit interpreters for the primary election. Interpreters are paid $75 for their services and it’s a great way to serve voters in the City. Anyone interested should call the Board of Elections at 215-686-3469 for more information.

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