Ever wonder who really holds power in Philadelphia politics? Join us for a practical breakdown of the city’s ward system – the behind-the-scenes structure that shapes elections, endorsements, and turnout – and learn how becoming a committee person is one of the simplest ways to get involved locally.
Co-hosted by Committee of Seventy and 5th Square PAC, this event includes a nonpartisan training on how to run for committee person in the May 19 Primary Election. Committee of Seventy Senior Program Director Tanisha Bezue and Andrew McGinley, Vice President of Policy and a former committee person, will lead the session and walk through the nomination petition process and answer questions live.
Committee people are the link between neighborhoods and local politics – sharing resources, answering questions, and helping democracy work on the ground. Attendees will learn why this role matters, what it looks like day to day, and how accessible it is to run.
What you’ll learn
In this training, we will cover:
What a committee person does and why the role matters
How Philadelphia’s ward and division system works
Eligibility requirements to run
Nomination petitions, and how to avoid common errors
Key deadlines and what happens after you file
Live Q&A
Who should attend
This session is for:
Civic-minded neighbors who want to better understand the ward system
Philadelphia residents considering a run for committee person in 2026
First-time candidates looking for step-by-step guidance
Community leaders who want to support others who are running
No prior experience required.