Neysa Nevins for Democratic Committeeperson (22-05)
As your Democratic Committeeperson (Mt. Airy, Philadelphia, Ward 22, Division 5), I will help you get registered to vote, provide you with information about candidates and endorsements, and help answer your election questions. I have been your neighbor for over 20 years and am asking for your vote to help reach every voter in the division so we elect the leaders we want in power, serving our community.
For the next election May 19, 2026, competitive Democratic races in our division include candidates for U.S. Representative, PA State Senator, PA State Representative, PA Democratic State Committee, and Philadelphia Democratic Committeeperson. To vote in the Democratic primary, you need to be registered as a Democrat!
Your Questions,
Answered
Why are you running for committeeperson?
I’m running for committeeperson because I want to better know my neighbors and help us get out the vote and educate ourselves about the best candidates to serve our community whether for local or national office. I’m often walking around the neighborhood and look forward to hearing your thoughts and ideas about issues of concern to you and how we can work together to strengthen democracy. Please read my Dear Neighbor Letter.
Am I registered to vote? How do I determine my ward and division? Can I still register for the May 19 primary?
Check your registration status. Use Find Your Polling Place to find not only your polling place but also which ward/division you live in. The 5th Square Ward elections app will give you more detail about who is running for committeeperson this year. For a Philadelphia committeeperson overview, see Committee of Seventy Philadelphia Ward Leaders & Committeepeople.
The deadline, May 4, has passed to register or change your party registration for the May 19 primary.
What is the Philadelphia Ward System and the Democratic City Committee?
Philadelphia is divided into 66 wards, and each ward is divided into divisions for a total of 1703 divisions. Three wards (39, 40, 66) are split into “A” and “B” due to their size.
What is the Ward Executive Committee?
Each ward has a Ward Executive Committee and voters elect its members, committeepeople, to serve for 4 year terms. Each division has up to 2 committeepeople. Democrats and Republicans have their own Ward Executive Commmittees. I am running for committeperson for the Democratic Ward Executive Committee.
The 3rd Monday after the primary (June 8 this year), elected committeepeople will gather for a reorganization meeting to elect their next ward leader, who does not need to be an elected committeeperson but should live in the ward. There are 69 ward leaders, as the three A/B split wards have two ward leaders. The Ward 22 leader is currently Cindy Bass, who has been serving in this role since 2018.
The way ward leaders run their ward committees varies from ward to ward. Ideally ward leaders hold regular meetings with committeepeople to discuss getting out the vote and candidate recommendations.
What is the Democratic City Committee?
Ward leaders meet together to recommend citywide candidate endorsements for the sample ballots handed out on election day. I’ve seen some refer to the Democratic City Committee as only the ward leaders, while others include the committeepeople.
What is an “open” ward?
Open wards have more flexibility for what is on the sample ballots recommended by the ward leaders. Ward 22 is currently a closed ward. A group called Mt. Airy Democrats, which includes current and former Ward 22 commmittepeople, formed to advocate for a more open 22nd ward, which I support as well.
For more information see Committee of Seventy’s How the Philadelphia Ward System Works.
Can I vote by mail?
Yes. Apply for a mail-in/absentee ballot. The last day to apply is May 12, but best to do so earlier so you have time to receive it, fill it out and mail it back in time to reach the Philadelphia City election office by May 19 at 8 PM. You can also take your ballot to a drop-off location.
The Mt. Airy Democrats have additional resources including more information about How To Vote.