Philly Youth RUN!

Teens can run for office--get your name on the ballot!

In Pennsylvania, any citizen over 18 can be elected or appointed to the following political and governmental positions.

Committee of 70: Run for Elected Office

Elected Positions - Philly’s ward system offers a number of ways to get involved right in your neighborhood. You just need 5 or 10 petition signatures from your neighbors to get your name on the ballot! See details in the links below.

• Judge of Elections (2021 Election) - You’ll be in charge of your neighborhood polling place during each election and get paid for your time.

• Inspector of Elections (2021 Election) - Majority and Minority Inspectors are paid to help the Judge run the polling place. Ideally there is one Inspector from each political party but that’s

• Committeeperson (2022 Election) - The Democratic and Republican parties each elect 2 Committeepeople in each division, your neighborhood polling precinct. Your job is to register and inform your voters and get-out-the-vote (GOTV). Committeepeople are volunteers, but they often get paid “street money” by the Ward Leader on Election Day for handing out sample ballots for their party.

• Delegates to a National Party Convention (2024 Election) - Represent your favorite presidential candidate at the Democratic or Republican National Convention.

Appointed Positions:

• Poll Worker: At 17 years of age you can apply to be a poll worker! Appointed positions include Clerk and Machine Inspector. Ask your Committeepeople or Ward Leader if there’s a vacancy in your division. You must complete a one-time training and the positions pay up to $200 on each Election Day.

• Work on Political Campaigns: You can apply to work for the political campaigns of candidates. They look for volunteers and often pay workers to knock on doors, make phone calls, and hand out signs and literature for each election. Contact political organizations or candidate’s campaign offices.

• Join the Staff of an Elected Official - Once in office, most elected officials rely on staff to be legislative assistants and to help with constituent services.