Election 2020

‘Fuel the Vote’: Philly restaurants team up to feed voters at satellite election offices

Chef Michael Solomonov and Stephen Starr are among the Philly restaurateurs working together to feed voters at the city’s satellite election offices on Thursday.

Maria Pulcinella

October 15, 2020

Stephen Starr (left) hands out food to voters as part of the “Fuel the Vote” effort at Philadelphia’s satellite election offices. (Kimberly Paynter/WHYY)

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A group of restaurateurs, led by Zahav chef Michael Solomonov, is teaming up to help feed Philly residents exercising their right to vote.

Solomonov, along with Stephan Starr, Michael Schulson, chef Greg Vernick and others, will be on tap Thursday to keep voters well-fed at seven of the city’s nine satellite election offices.

The “Fuel the Vote” effort — in partnership with the Committee of Seventy, League of Women Voters of Philadelphia and The Voter Project — will take place from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

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Philadelphia’s finest chefs and restaurateurs teamed up to “Fuel the Vote,” giving out food at Philadelphia’s satellite election offices. (Kimberly Paynter/WHYY)
Voters line up at City Hall in Philadelphia. (Kimberly Paynter/WHYY)
South Philadelphia resident Stevanie Rideout receives donuts and jam as she waits in line to vote, part of the “Fuel the Vote” effort. (Kimberly Paynter/WHYY)
Voters receive a sticker after voting at one of Philadelphia’s satellite election offices in 2020. (Kimberly Paynter/WHYY)
Jean Gary, a North Philadelphia resident, drops off her ballot at City Hall. (Kimberly Paynter/WHYY)
Teresa Rouse, a North Philadelphia resident, votes at City Hall on Oct. 15, 2020. (Kimberly Paynter/WHYY)
Voters receive a sticker after voting at one of Philadelphia’s satellite election offices. (Kimberly Paynter/WHYY)
Alice and Len Sayles, Rittenhouse Square residents, return their ballots in the drop box outside City Hall in Philadelphia. (Kimberly Paynter/WHYY)
Society Hill resident Marion Kotulka receives a crossiant as she waits in line to vote at City Hall, part of the “Fuel the Vote” effort. (Kimberly Paynter/WHYY)

The satellite election offices act as one-stop shops, featuring all the services voters would ordinarily utilize at the city’s two permanent board of election offices. Here, residents can:

Register to vote
Change your registration (if you moved or changed your name)
Apply for and get approved for a mail ballot
Request a new mail ballot if yours hasn’t arrived yet
Fill out your mail ballot
Seal your ballot in the secrecy envelope, place it in the outer envelope, sign your name, and return your ballot

While waiting in line, residents can enjoy a midday treat from city favorites like Federal Donuts, Starr Restaurants, Osteria, Vernick Food & Drink, Angelo’s Pizza and Pat’s King of Steaks.

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Outside of the “Fuel the Vote” event, voters can visit satellite election offices Monday to Thursday from 11:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. and Friday to Sunday from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (though Michael Solomonov won’t be there to feed you light snacks).

Voters can visit any of the locations, as opposed to whichever is closest to their home address. Mail ballots can be requested and returned at these locations through 5 p.m. on Oct. 27.

A list of participating satellite election offices, and their corresponding restaurateur, is below:

City Hall Room 140, 1400 John F Kennedy Blvd, 19107 | Starr Restaurants
The Liacouras Center, 1776 N. Broad St., 19121 | Osteria
Roxborough High School, 6498 Ridge Ave., 19128 | Vernick Food & Drink
Tilden Middle School, 6601 Elmwood Ave., 19142 | Angelo’s Pizza
Julia De Burgos Elementary, 401 W. Lehigh Ave., 19133 | Pat’s King of Steaks
A.B. Day School, 6324 Crittenden St., 19138 | Federal Donuts
Philadelphia High School for Creative and Performing Arts, 901 S. Broad St., 19147 | Starr Restaurants

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