8th Ward Endorsements & Candidates Voter Guide

Dear Voters,

Here is our Guide for the November 3 2026 Election.

About us: the First Open Ward – The 8th Ward has organized and operated as an “OPEN WARD” for over half a century, proudly continuing our tradition of doing our own independent vetting and democratically voting on who to endorse in the Primary Election. Your 8th Ward Democratic Committee is formed by neighborhood volunteers from all walks of life, in 35 divisions across the Ward, for a team of up to 70 Committee Members. The 8th Ward is in Western Center City, running from Broad St. west to the Schuylkill River; from Lombard St. north to Spring Garden St. and a bit of Fairmount Ave. About 22,000 Democrats live in the 8th Ward – we do our best to reach as many as we can !

Our General Election Democratic Ballot – as an official Democratic Party Committee for our neighborhoods in the 8th Ward, we carry the Democratic sample ballot in the General Election. This is because, as an Open Ward, we respect and accept the hard fought VOTED OUTCOMES of Democratic Primary Elections, where the PEOPLE VOTED for winning Democratic Nominees to go on to the General Election. We unite as Democrats to carry the Democratic ticket in the General Election.

Please vote for the following Democratic Nominees in the November 3 General Election (their websites are linked for your information):

For US Congress – Chris Rabb

For Governor – Josh Shapiro

For Lieutenant Governor – Austin Davis

For Pennsylvania House of Representatives

Ballot Questions

For the Official Text of the Ballot Questions & Legislation Cites, check out this link at the Philadelphia City Commissioners Office.

Q1: Updating City Contracting Procedures for Small / Local Businesses

Ballot Question 1: Should the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter be amended to revise the City’s contracting procedures to allow for bid preferences and set-asides for small businesses; modify the threshold and standards for contracts that can be set aside for small and local businesses; and grant the Procurement Department and the City Solicitor discretion on bond requirements for certain construction projects?

Plain English Statement: The City’s Home Rule Charter sets up the framework of City government. The Charter is the City’s constitution. A “yes” vote means the Charter would be amended so the City can give contracting preferences to small businesses and expand them for local businesses for City-funded projects.

CONTEXT (source: Committee of Seventy website): This measure, introduced and sponsored by Councilmember Katherine Gilmore Richardson for Council President Kenyatta Johnson, would allow the city to create new contracting rules to encourage the city to conduct business with small and Philadelphia based companies. Procurement rules would be changed to allow the city to contract with local and small businesses on contracts between $75,000 and $500,000 even if those companies do not make the lowest bid.

Philadelphia’s contracting processes were challenged in federal court alleging that the way that Philadelphia prioritized women and minority owned businesses in its contracting procedures was a violation of federal law. The City settled the case and agreed to rewrite those rules. Now, instead it’s considering the size and location of companies in contracting rather than race or gender.

Q2: Formalizing “Creative Philadelphia” into the City Government Structure

Ballot Question 2: Shall the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter be amended to establish and define the functions of Creative Philadelphia, an office headed by the Chief Cultural Officer to promote the City’s arts, culture, and creative economy sector?

Plain English Statement: The City’s Home Rule Charter is the document that sets up the framework of City government. The Charter is the City’s constitution. The City operates an office focused on arts and culture in Philadelphia called Creative Philadelphia. The office works to increase public access to arts and culture, support creative communities, and celebrate Philadelphia’s cultural resources. If you vote “yes” on this ballot question, that means you approve of making Creative Philadelphia a formal part of the government under the City’s Charter.

SELECTED RESOURCES FOR CONTEXT & CONSIDERATION:

Looking Ahead to 2027

After the November 2026 General Election, our 8th Ward Committee will begin intensive work to vet and endorse candidates for the May 18 2027 Primary Election.

In 2027, our May 18th Primary Election will determine Democratic nominees for Local City Elected Offices (Mayor, City Council, and “Row Offices” including Sheriff, Register of Wills, and City Commissioners). Our Primary Election will also determine the Democratic nominees for Judge at all levels of our Judicial branch – Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas and Municipal Court and Pennsylvania Courts of Appeals (Supreme Court and Commonwealth/Superior Courts).

FOR LOCAL PHILADELPHIA-BASED OFFICES, THE PRIMARY ELECTION IS, IN EFFECT, FOR “ALL THE MARBLES.”

Due to the very high proportion of Democratic voters in the City, Candidates who win the Democratic Primary for the Philadelphia-based offices typically go on to win the November General Election. These include: Local Philadelphia Judges, City Council, Mayor, and Row Offices. So, it is important to pay attention and participate in the 2027 Democratic Primary Election.

Our Primary Election Ballot Guide & Endorsement Process – We don’t take primary endorsement “orders” from any one or any group; our endorsements are decided by democratic process in our Committee. Since 1972, our Ward Committee has worked hard at our own independent due diligence to help guide our neighbors in every Primary. Our Committee People engage with neighbors, we come together as a Ward to interview candidates, and then we discuss, deliberate, and vote on who should get the full Ward endorsement. We share our Endorsements & Voter Guide here on our website and in our outreach to active voters.

Please stay connected with us in the coming months ahead !