Philadelphians went to the polls Tuesday to vote in a primary election that included competitive races for district attorney and a variety of judicial posts, in addition to three citywide ballot questions.
David Lester, of North Philadelphia, told Metro he wanted to make himself “heard before they destroy this process too,” referring to President Donald Trump’s administration. He criticized the White House’s attempt to eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, among other measures taken under Trump.
“If they did it in Washington, they could do it in Harrisburg and then they could do it here in Philadelphia,” Lester said after casting his ballot at Midtown Parish United Methodist Church at 7th and Norris Streets.
Tuesday’s most anticipated race was the Democratic primary for DA, where former Municipal Court Judge Pat Dugan was attempting to deny incumbent Larry Krasner’s quest for a third term.
Candidates were also vying for their party’s nomination for seats on the Superior Court, Commonwealth Court, Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas and Municipal Court.
Ballot questions, if approved, would create an ombudsperson for the Office of Homeless Service; require the city to devote additional dollars to its Housing Trust Fund; and overhaul the oversight mechanism for the Philadelphia Department of Prisons.
For complete election results, visit metrophiladelphia.com. Preliminary statewide and city returns will also be posted at electionreturns.pa.gov and vote.phila.gov/results.
Voters were few and far between Tuesday at some polling places, particularly in comparison to the most recent election. Less than seven months ago, over 65% of registered Philadelphia voters – about 728,000 – cast ballots in the presidential contest.
The City Commissioners said that just over 40,600 mail-in envelopes had been received, as of Monday evening. Turnout topped out at around 21% in the 2021 municipal primary, the last time a Democratic DA race headlined an election, and nearly 62,000 mail-in ballots were returned that year.
“My kids go to this school, and I didn’t even know that there was a vote happening until I realized they had a half-day today,” Amir Davis said after voting at Universal Creighton Charter School in the Crescentville section of Northeast Philadelphia.
“And with everything going on, you know, I felt like it was probably more of a responsibility to try to mitigate some of the issues going on,” he added.
Weather was not an issue, as the sun shined and temperatures hovered in the 60s. At Columbus Square Park, students from a local charter school played on the field and dog-walkers enjoyed a stroll as voters trickled in and out of a recreation center voting site.
Democratic committee people at the South Philadelphia park said traffic had been “slow and steady,” just before noon Tuesday.
Kira Itkin-Weinstein, a Columbus Square voter, said she was prioritizing candidates who want to keep nonviolent offenders out of prison and improve conditions for those who are incarcerated.
“In general, I think the criminal justice system is just so f—ed up and just so inhumane,” she remarked. “The system is created to keep people in prisons, instead of rehabilitate them and give them opportunities to reacclimate into society.”
More than one person confessed to not knowing much about the people running, especially in the judicial races.
One of those on the ballot, Irina Ehrlich, showed up at Columbus Square to put up a couple of campaign signs. She is hoping to get the Democratic nod for the city’s Court of Common Pleas.
She has a good chance. Nine out of the 10 candidates will advance to November’s general election, and Ehrlich has the backing of the Democratic City Committee, local Working Families Party and Philadelphia Bar Association.
“I’m very superstitious, so I’m not going to say anything until the end,” Ehrlich told Metro.
