The Philadelphia Poll Watchers Project

Free and fair elections depend upon public confidence. That confidence is earned when election systems are transparent, understandable, accessible, and accountable to the communities they serve.

Philadelphia administers hundreds of polling places across dozens of neighborhoods, each presenting unique logistical, demographic, and operational challenges. Election officials, poll workers, candidates, observers, and voters often navigate complex procedures under significant time constraints. Even when elections are administered properly, inconsistent understanding of election law and polling place procedures can create unnecessary confusion, conflict, and distrust.

The Philadelphia Poll Watchers Project was created to help close that information gap.

Rather than focusing exclusively on election outcomes, PPP focuses on the election experience itself—how residents interact with the electoral process, where barriers emerge, and how institutions and communities can work together to improve confidence in future elections.

To strengthen public confidence in Philadelphia's elections by promoting transparency, civic education, responsible election observation, and collaborative problem-solving among community stakeholders.

We envision a Philadelphia where every voter understands their rights, every election observer understands their responsibilities, every polling place is accessible and welcoming, and election administration is strengthened through constructive public participation rather than partisan conflict.