Happy #ElectionDay! Here’s how Philly is participating in democracy (so far)

Happy Election Day, Philly voters!

In just the first hour that polls were open this morning, an estimated 16,200 Philadelphians went out and voted, per Philly-born election tracker Sixty-Six Wards, and the number keeps climbing. Whether you’re an early voting bird or an evening sticker enthusiast, here are a few members of the Philly tech and business community to get you inspired to celebrate democracy:

RECPhilly cofounder Dave Silver had a bit of a wakeup call to the swift life of our beloved voting stickers from University City Science Center Director of Marketing Kristen Fitch.

Stickers are fleeting. Tattoos are forever.

— Kristen Fitch (@switchfitch) May 21, 2019

Office of Immigrant Affairs Language Access Program Manager Orlando Almonte, who helped out at PhillyCHI’s most recent Design Slam, shared the importance of voting with the next generation. [Editor’s note: Same.] 

The office’s fate is being determined via ballot question #2 at the polls today.

https://twitter.com/iamnotorlando/status/1130812043907485697

Rachel Semigran, communications manager at Drexel University’s Goodwin College of Professional Studies, had an early start to her election day.

Rise and prioritize, Philadelphia! #Vote #PhillyVotes pic.twitter.com/lMB6eSEDXP

— Rachel Semigran (@Rachel_Semigran) May 21, 2019

Bellevue Strategies CEO Mustafa Rashed had a little help at the polls this morning.

https://twitter.com/mustafarashed/status/1130831381427380225?s=20

Marion Leary, director of innovation for Penn’s School of Nursing and 2017 Geek of the Year, is a fan of this bilingual signage.

#Philly it’s a beautiful day to do your civic duty and get out and #vote. #VotePHL2019 pic.twitter.com/AKOpQ2YbAJ

— Marion Leary MSN MPH RN (she/her) (@marionleary) May 21, 2019

WHYY data reporter Ryan Briggs had a creative suggestion for gamers on their way to the polls.

https://twitter.com/rw_briggs/status/1130850938229420032?s=20

For those able to vote today, MilkCrate created an app to help you make your voting plan: WeVote has information on the candidates and ballot measures, where to find your voting place and video interviews with all the candidates courtesy of Committee of Seventy.

It's time to vote! Here's my ballot and resources to help you make informed decisions, make your ballot before you vote using @Committeeof70's WeVote app > https://t.co/UYSQIlY4wl https://t.co/CGgImW2xy4

— Mo Manklang (@MoManklang) May 21, 2019

During the 2018 General #Election, over 700 voters downloaded our #WeVote app by @AppsByMilkCrate. WeVote makes it easy for voters to find what they need to know to #vote. Your support will allow us to reach even more voters in 2019: https://t.co/91cwoZNfdk #GivingTuesday pic.twitter.com/pQedw1ZUpO

— Committee of Seventy (@Committeeof70) November 27, 2018

Meanwhile, Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati’s proposed bill to allow registered independent voters to choose a Democrat or Republican candidate on Election Day is gaining tractions. Last month, statewide coalition Open Primaries PA launched to support the nearly 800,000 Pennsylvanians voting participation.

Polls open tomorrow. But more than 1.2 million independent and third-party Pennsylvanians will not be voting. Our nonpartisan coalition supports legislation opening the primaries to the state's nearly 800,000 independent voters. https://t.co/4xFfbGq7NH via @PennLive pic.twitter.com/KR4wxgai2m

— OpenPrimariesPA (@OpenPrimariesPA) May 20, 2019

And, in case you need a post-poll place to celebrate, Theatre Philadelphia‘s executive director, Leigh Goldenberg, has you covered with all the election night soirées.

I crowdsourced a map of Philly election night parties, for your democratic enjoyment. (Blue links are @PhillyFirstWard endorsed candidates). Got more parties to share? Reply and I'll add! https://t.co/XnwE44jm5H

— Leigh Goldenberg 01-10 (@leighalice) May 20, 2019