Join Reclaim leaders Paul Fitzgerald and Julia Tackett for a fun and informative talk about the Philadelphia ward system, learn the difference between closed wards and open wards, and why we need every ward to be open and aligned with our people powered movement!

In South Philadelphia, Reclaim Philadelphia leaders and volunteers helped democratize and open up 3 of the 5 “open wards” in the area. These wards are democratically led by members of the community elected as committee people. But most South Philly wards -- and wards across the city -- remain closed and fully under the control of their Ward Leader or the local Democratic Party run by Bob Brady for over 30 years! Open wards write their own by-laws, elect their leaders democratically, make their own endorsements, and have been proven to boost voter turnout and invest in grassroots leaders. Closed wards decision making is top down and made by a small group of privileged and powerful leaders behind closed doors – and they hardly even get out the vote until the weekend before Election Day!

Unfortunately, after two losses to Donald Trump, we don’t expect the party, locally or nationally, to change on their own. That’s why we need to reclaim the party – from the bottom up!

Julia and Paul are both democratic committee people and will detail their strategies and experiences leading the effort to open up 2 of our open wards! Julia helped elect new ward leadership in Ward 2 (Bella Vista/Queen Village) in 2018 and was elected Ward Leader in 2022! While Paul led the effort to open up Ward 39A (East Passyunk and Lower Moyamensing) in 2022!