Rainy Election Day weather puts the onus on candidates

With rain forecast to fall during Tuesday’s primary election, the weather could have an effect on turnout.

Political consultant Tom Lindenfeld said on rainy Election Days, candidates have to spend more time getting people to the polls and offering them rides, instead of just standing at the polling places waiting for voters to show up.

“And then there’s the logistics involved with how do you make sure your people stay dry, your materials stay dry,” he said. “The election day logistics are more complicated. If it’s done right it shouldn’t adversely affect turnout though.”

With no competitive high-profile race at the top of the ticket, voter turnout is expected to be low. Lindenfeld, who is working for candidates for Philadelphia City Council and other offices in the primary, said there may be better turnout in districts with competitive City Council races.

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Lindenfeld said the candidates’ campaigns have to make a case to voters.

“It’s really much more about whether you’re able, as a campaign, to convey that there are stakes–that there is something important,” he said. “That this is not just another election between anonymous candidates, or not.”

Philadelphia voters will cast ballots for mayor, all 17 City Council seats, city commissioners, sheriff, and register of wills.

Voters who take the trip to the polls, and have questions or problems, can reach the Committee of Seventy’s hotline at 1-866-OUR-VOTE.

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