The South Philly Voter Project is back
State Rep. Elizabeth Fiedler and state Sen. Nikil Saval launched the 2024 South Philly Voter Project, expanding on the success of the 2022 project, which activated hundreds of volunteers to elect Gov. Josh Shapiro and Sen. John Fetterman.
Fiedler and Saval hope to mobilize South Philly residents to help the Democratic Party secure victory in the Nov. 5 general election. Both politician’s districts cover the east side of Broad Street in South Philly as well as other portions of the city.
“With so much noise in this election coming from national news, it’s easy to lose sight of the immense stakes for our communities in South Philly this fall,” said Fiedler. “From immigration, to the right to join a union, to abortion access. I’m excited to work together to have real conversations with voters, to give people the chance to volunteer in their own neighborhood, and to turn out the vote for Democrats up and down the ballot.”
Fiedler and Saval co-sponsored the project with the intent of engaging voters in South Philadelphia in an effort to help reach underrepresented and infrequent Democratic voters. In 2022, the project yielded a 10-percent increase in turnout. Fiedler and Saval said their goal is to exceed that turnout this year, which includes the presidential candidacy and the attorney general race in Pennsylvania. Saval is running for his first re-election since winning PA’s 1st Senatorial District in 2020.
“With reproductive rights, climate justice and the freedom to vote on the ballot, this election will be one of the most consequential of our lifetimes,” Saval said. “Philadelphia voters, especially the diverse populations of South Philly, will be the key to winning Pennsylvania in this historic campaign. That’s why we do this critical work, facilitating meaningful conversations between neighbors to get out the vote.”
The South Philly Voter Project encompasses wards 1, 2, 39A and 39B in South Philadelphia, the area south of South Street and east of Broad.
Four years ago, President Joe Biden received 33,457 votes in these wards, beating former President Donald Trump by nearly 22,000 votes. Biden won Pennsylvania by a slim 80,000-vote margin.
The South Philly Voter Project will focus on hyperlocal grassroots engagement and turnout strategies with neighbors talking to neighbors about the issues that matter to them. Democratic voters in the region will receive a mailer to invite them to get involved. The first event of the Project will take place Aug. 12 at 6 p.m. at the Bok Building. There will be additional opportunities for volunteer training and canvassing in the weeks and months leading up to the election. To learn more and sign up for updates, visit www.southphillyvoterproject.com.
“Rep. Fiedler and Sen. Saval are helping voters make powerful choices about the issues that impact them most,” said Democratic nominee for attorney general Eugene DePasquale. “I want to thank them for the work they are doing to bring people together, educate, motivate and win this fall, and I can’t wait to get it done with them.”
