Few people know there will be a major Philly election a week from Tuesday!! Low turnout helps Nutter. So let people know, help get out the vote.
Wali "Diop" Rahman is running for mayor against Nutter. See the excellent cover article on Diop in the new Philadelphia Weekly now on the stands (Oct. 26 – Nov. 1) — or at http://www.philadelphiaweekly.com/news-and-opinion/cover-story/Diop-Olug…. Also see his website, http://www.diop2011.com/. (The candidate's real name is Diop Olugbala, but a judge made him run under his original name Wali Rahman, since he had not legally changed his name.)
On Thursday, all but one member of the City Council shamefully voted for Mayor Nutter's expanded Philadelphia youth curfew. Only Jannie Blackwell voted against. So get out the vote FOR her, in her district in West Philadelphia. (She is not running unopposed this time.)
There is a separate race in each of the 12 City Council districts — plus, any voter in Philadelphia can vote for up to 5 at-large council members. It's unclear who are the best at-large non-incumbents to vote for. You can get some information about the candidates at the Committee of 70 website, http://www.seventy.org/Elections_Philadelphia_Municipal_Primary_2011.aspx
Does anyone know anything about Richard Johnson, who is the only independent running at large for City Council? We couldn't find anything in a Google search of the local press, which only lists him as a candidate. There are many people named Richard Johnson in Philadelphia, but in half an hour with Google we couldn't tell which one is running. I'd love to vote for an independent, but need to know something about the candidate first.
Also of special importance, Cheri Honkala is running for sheriff. See http://www.cherihonkala.com/.
Unfortunately if you are not already registered to vote in Philadelphia, it is too late to register now, because Pennsylvania requires registration 30 days in advance of the election. But still you can help make sure that others know about the election, so they can vote and help others vote. The expected turnout for this election is very low, and therefore your effort in this election will count more than usual.
