Philly DA, Committee of Seventy to keep watch for Election Day issues

Philadelphia’s district attorney is teaming up with a bipartisan voter advocacy group to make sure Election Day is safe — and that anyone who is eligible can vote with no problem.

District Attorney Seth Williams said he’s has more than five dozen workers ready to handle any Election Day issues at the polls.

“We’re ready to help if Philadelphians go to vote and feel intimidated or people are telling them they can’t vote,” Williams said Monday. “Please call our hotline, our number is 215-686-9641.”

While a few dozen issues cropped up during the primary in May, Williams said the general election usually runs more smoothly.

David Thornburgh of the Committee of Seventy said the government watchdog group is working to create excitement about voting on Tuesday — and beyond.

“We’re going to have a couple hundred high school kids out at polls,” said Thornburgh. “We’re trying to educate them about the voting process and what it takes.”

The Committee of Seventy will also survey voters after they cast their ballots.

“I think we are trying to get a good sense of the big picture,” Thornburgh said. “It’s good to isolate this or that, but we want to get a big-picture sense because, ultimately, we want folks to be confident in the process — that if you show up at the polls, your vote is going to be taken seriously, that your vote is going to count, you’re not going to be kind of given the run-around.”

It’s all part of an effort to bring more people out to the polls, he said.