Become a Volunteer
Thank you to all of our volunteers who made the November 3, 2009 Voter protection program a success! We look forward to running a great program for the May 18, 2010 Primary election
Click here for (unofficial)
November 2009 Election Results
Click here to see photos from recent elections.
Committee of Seventy Voter Protection Program Overview
Seventy’s volunteers spend Election Day visiting the polls and providing support for voters and election officers. The goal of the Voter Protection Program is to help solve issues that could prevent registered voters from voting and to collect data to improve future elections. It's a great (nonpartisan) way to be right in the thick of the action.
Field Volunteers: Nonpartisan field volunteers work in groups of two or three visiting polling places in specified parts of the city on Election Day. Field volunteers are the eyes and ears of the Voter Protection Program. They spend their shift traveling to different polling places, interviewing voters and election workers on their Election Day experiences. Their job is to inform voters, assist election workers and document pervasive polling place issues.
Hotline Volunteers: Hotline volunteers work in Seventy's office on Election Day, answering calls from voters, poll officials and Seventy Volunteers. Hotline volunteers staff the 866-OUR-VOTE election protection hotline and help voters find their polling places, give basic assistance with election day rules, direct problems to the correct authorities and document problems that will be responded to by field teams.
When: Election Day. The polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Volunteers have the choice of morning, afternoon or evening shifts (each shift runs about 4 1/2 hours).
Where: Volunteers can choose what part of the city they prefer to spend their shift. We do our best to accommodate all requests.
Training: All of our volunteers receive training before Election Day. Training sessions for field volunteers will be held at the Committee of Seventy’s offices. This fall hotline volunteers will be trained online via a webinar. Returning volunteers are welcome, but not required to, participate in a training.
By volunteering just a few hours of your time you can help safeguard the integrity of Philadelphia elections and ensure that all eligible citizens can freely exercise their right to VOTE!
If you have any questions, or would like more information about volunteer opportunities or other programs, contact Leah Pillsbury at lpillsbury@seventy.org or 215-557-3600 x109.