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Why Philadelphia posted lists of mail ballots that need fixing
About a third as many Philly voters requested mail ballots this year as in 2020. Reasons range from mistrust of the USPS to excitement about voting in person, Asha Prihar reports.
- Some mail voters returned envelopes with errors — lacking a signature, no date, no secrecy envelope — so the City Commissioners posted a list asking people to “cure” their ballots by filling out a new one.
The RNC had sued to stop this practice, but didn’t win, so curing ballots is currently legal in Pa. Yet there’s been a ton of confusion, and even the New York Times had to issue a correction about the issue.
Hundreds cheer the red carpet eating of 40th rotisserie chicken
For the 40th consecutive day, 33-year-old Philly resident Alexander Tominsky ate an entire rotisserie chicken — this time in front of a huge crowd.
- A personal stunt that went viral and turned into performance art, the poultry-consuming event was the perfect antidote for a weekend of letdowns, attendees said.
Most of all, it just screamed Philly. “In another city, you get a text about chicken guy, you’d be like what on earth are you talking about?” one person told Asha Prihar, who documented the distinctive event.
Procrastinator’s Guide to the November election in Philly
Election Day is tomorrow! The Billy Penn Procrastinator’s Guide is here to help. Scroll through this cheat sheet to all the candidates and charter change questions, then bookmark it for easy access when you complete your mail ballot or head to the polls. Read the guide in Spanish here.
RECAP: What else happened?
$ = paywalled
- After yet another shooting in Kensington, many leaders — including incoming councilmembers and mayoral candidates — criticized current officials for not doing enough to address the neighborhood’s public health catastrophe, which allows an open-air drug market with guns everywhere. [Inquirer$/Billy Penn]
- Philly City Council is first in the U.S. to consider a bill that would fund legal help for high school athletes offered the brand sponsorships known as “NIL” deals. [KYW/PHL Council]
- The “Presidential City” 12-building apartment complex near City Avenue sold recently for $357 million, the highest ever sale of its kind in Philly. [WSJ$/RealDeal]
- RIP Joe Tarsia, the founder of Sigma Sound Studios, who recorded icons ranging from David Bowie to the Jackson 5 to Taylor Swift. [XPN]
- Hike & Heal, a women’s wellness group, advocates for sisterhood through nature. The next event is at Bartram’s Garden on Nov. 17. [WHYY’s PlanPhilly]
- It might be in the 70s today, but the ice skating rink outside City Hall is open for business. [Center City District/Visit Philly]
The story you didn’t read
? Highlighting good BP articles few people clicked on ?
- Reminder: In addition to the candidates on the ballot, Philly voters will be asked to approve or deny two charter changes. Read up on them here: 1) Should PHL Airport get its own, cabinet-level department? 2) Should CTE grads get a boost on the city’s civil service exam?
MAYOR WATCH
The city is preparing its regular Election Day task force of attorneys and legal advisors, to help handle any challenges or situations that arise at the polls, and Mayor Kenney joins other officials at a press conference on Independence Mall to announce details (11 a.m.).
ON THE CALENDAR
? Royal Boulangerie is celebrating 5 years in business with a free glass of bubbly for every customer who dines at the Old City spot. (Monday to Sunday, Nov. 7-13)
? Urban tree cover has been shown to bring social, health, and economic benefits. In a virtual forum, Philly’s forestry manager discusses the city’s plan to add more. (7 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 10)
