Why so many people are talking about ranked-choice voting
With several candidates still in contention as the May 16 primary nears, the city’s next mayor could be decided by a very small number of voters.
- Elections don’t have to work that way. Ranked-choice voting, also known as “instant runoff,” is gaining popularity across the nation; New York City used it to choose a mayor two years ago.
Advocates say it produces more “consensus” winners — candidates preferred by at least half the electorate, even if they’re not everyone’s first choice.
How does it work, and how would it have affected Philly’s mayoral contest? Asha Prihar has the rundown.
It’s finally ‘Sunny’ in Wrexham: Mac’s soccer team wins big
At Mac’s Tavern in Old City on Saturday, fans cheered, high-fived, and sang as the final whistle blew for a match happening halfway across the world.
- Wrexham AFC had finally won promotion. Wrex-who? A little-known soccer club from North Wales. which has one thing in common with the Philly bar: part-ownership by Rob McElhenney.
The “Always Sunny in Philadelphia” star bought the Welsh team with “Deadpool” actor Ryan Reynolds last year — and this weekend their Cinderella dream came true, reports Nick Kariuki.
RECAP: What else happened?
$ = paywalled
• The PABJ mayoral forum had plenty of fiery moments; you can watch the full thing here. See “On the Calendar” below for a list of forums this week. [@brettmandel/Tribune/YouTube]
• The only candidate left on the ballot after a series of petition challenges, attorney Jay Young looks poised to win City Council’s District 5 seat. But he didn’t do a social media scrub — and many old offensive posts were found on his Twitter account. [Inquirer$ x 2]
• Managing director is one of Philly’s most important mayor-appointed roles. How would current candidates write the job description? [Kensington Voice]
• Penn Police quietly dismissed its commanding DEI officer in February, shortly after she faced assault allegations from a local high school student. [Daily Pennsylvanian]
• With the Philadelphia Suns, an athletic club founded 50 years ago that’s still thriving, basketball is already a big part of Chinatown’s culture. [Billy Penn]
• Popular Baltimore Avenue restaurant Booker’s is under new management: A “Trenton power couple” has taken the reins after a $3.3 million acquisition in March. [Axios]
MAYOR WATCH
No public events on Mayor Kenney’s schedule today. Last week his administration announced the departure of Rev. Naomi Washington-Leapheart, who had served as director of faith-based and interfaith affairs. She also spearheaded a push to create a “citywide culture of reparations.”
ON THE CALENDAR
🎾 BP Quizzo: Join us at Padelphia for a night of Philly trivia! Space is limited at this new-style racket club on the Schuylkill River near City Live Ave, so register early. BYO, plus we’ll have some snacks and sips, and prizes for the winners. (6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 26)
Mayoral forums and debates this week:
– Monday: Elevate 215 and CCP host “The Education Interview,” featuring 15-min interviews with each candidate. (5 to 7 p.m.)
– Tuesday: The Chamber of Commerce and 6ABC host a debate with the five Democratic frontrunners. It’ll be livestreamed, then air on TV this weekend. (7 p.m.)
– Wednesday: The League of Women Voters and Forum of Exec Women host the candidates at Temple for “Sparking Conversations on Women’s Issues.” (6 p.m.)
– Saturday: Nonprofit advocacy group One Pennsylvania hosts a forum at CCP on issues facing immigrant communities. (1 to 4 p.m.)
Catch up on the previous week
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