Where do Philly’s Ward Leaders Come From?

Ward Leaders “spread out the cash in the days before the election” and “make sure the City follows through on what needs to be done in the community.”

Philadelphia Ward Leaders. Who are they? What do they do?

by City Commissioner of Philadelphia Stephanie Singer

According to press reports Ward Leaders “spread out the cash in the days before the election” and “make sure the City follows through on what needs to be done in the community.” When it comes to judicial elections, “ballot position and backing of powerful Democratic party ward leaders usually trumps a candidate’s qualifications.” And, as an article about the Republican Ward Leaders says, “well, there’s always patronage” — finding government jobs for people who have served the party.

I was a Ward Leader for a few years. It was a lot of work. In addition to organizing the meetings of Committeepeople, I was responsible for finding people to work at the polls on Election Day. There was no monetary pay, but the position did give me power. Once I had the title “Ward Leader” local elected officials returned my phone calls, personally, within a day. I had earned, through political activity in my neighborhood, what is often gained through luck or money: I had earned access to government decision makers.

How does someone become a Ward Leader?

Ward Leaders are elected. They are chosen, indirectly, by voters of their party. Every four years, at the same Spring election where Pennsylvania Republicans and Democrats choose their parties’ candidates for Governor, they also elect representatives to their local Ward Committees, commonly called “Committeepeople.”

So on Tuesday, May 20, 2014, if you are registered as a Democrat or a Republican, when you go to the polls to choose your party’s candidates for Governor, US Congress, State Representative and State Senator, you will also be able to cast two votes for Committeeperson. Each Committeeperson candidate will be a neighbor who votes at the same place you vote, and who is registered in your party. Three weeks later the Committeepeople who win will gather with (typically 30-60) Committeepeople from the same party and nearby voting precincts. This group is called the Ward Committee.

More Info on Ward Leaders

The Ward Committee elects the Ward Leader and other officers of the Ward Committee. You can get factual information about your Ward Leader and Ward Committee activities by looking at campaign finance reports. Ward Committees are political action committees, so they have to report all their donations and spending several times each year. For more general information, talk to your current Committeepeople or Ward Leader.

Because Committeeperson elections are often decided by fewer than 50 votes, your Committeepeople should be eager to earn yours. If you have never met your Committeepeople, or if you can’t easily contact them, or if you disagree with them, now is the time to use your democratic power — run against them or help another neighbor run. As long as you are registered to vote in one of the two major parties, you are eligible.

Contact Your Ward Leader

For more information on how to find campaign finance reports and Committeepeople, or how to run for Committeeperson, please contact my office at 215-686-3460.