Write to Mayor Kenney for Voter Access Funding

Join POWER congregations from across the city to write to Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney demanding more funding for election processes such as drop boxes, monitors, satellite offices to make sure there is easy and complete access to vote for all registered citizens. You can copy, sign, and send the letter text below to Mayor Kenney at [email protected]

"Dear Mayor Kenney,

Without a doubt, democracy, as we know it, is under threat of annihilation. The manner in which our elections are conducted is vital to the assurance of a government of, by and for the people.

The November 2022 elections for Governor, State Legislators, US Representatives, and US Senator are crucial to the well-being of our City. The citizens of Philadelphia are depending on you to do all you can, as their Mayor, to make sure that all eligible voters can cast a ballot that will be counted. We need to be able to say that you used your authority to ensure ballot access, the bedrock of a living democracy.

Nothing is more important to democracy than voting. POWER Live Free, its individual and congregational members, urge you to grant the City Commissioners funding that would provide ALL eligible residents of the City the opportunity to vote without barriers. That requires a budget of at least $27M.

• To achieve voting equity and accessibility, you have the authority to fund plentiful and secure drop boxes in all neighborhoods. Some Black and Brown neighborhoods have no drop boxes at all, while the 14 existing drop boxes in Philadelphia are located in predominantly white neighborhoods

• You have the authority to fund satellite voting offices in as many neighborhoods as possible to assist voters dropping off their ballots who may have questions or concerns.

• You have the authority to fund ballots in multiple languages for residents of Philadelphia with low English proficiency, which is their right as voters.

Mayor Kenney, to achieve what is needed, no less than $27M of our 2023 budget must be allocated to the City Commissioners of Elections to protect our democracy and to make sure that the voices of Philadelphians are heard.

Signed,

[Your name here]

Philadelphia Voter

Member of the Church of St. Martin-In-The-Fields"