2023 Philadelphia Voter Hub

AARP Pennsylvania is dedicated to advocating for nearly 200,000 members in the city and all Philadelphians 50+ and their families.  We are a non-profit, non-partisan organization that does not have a political action committee, does not contribute to any candidate or political party, and does not endorse or oppose candidates. 

We are committed to ensuring that Philadelphians 50+ have everything they need to make an informed decision as they exercise their right to vote.  With the May 16 primary election determining which candidates will be on the November general election ballot for many municipal races - including the office of mayor - we launched our primary election efforts by ensuring that Philadelphians know about the upcoming election, including how, when and where to vote.   

With the office of the mayor top of mind for many Philadelphians in 2023, we went directly to Philadelphia voters 50+ to ask them about the issues that matter most to them, and we supported a variety of community forums where they could ask the mayoral candidates questions on those issues. 

We also invited each mayoral candidate to sit down with some of our AARP volunteers and staff. These intimate meetings provided us with the opportunity to raise the voices of Philadelphians 50+ with each candidate and to discuss how AARP Pennsylvania hopes to work with the city’s next mayor in implementing a livable community agenda that addresses affordable, age-friendly housing, ensuring safe streets for all modes of transportation, community safety, and availability of essential services for older adults.

This Voter Hub was created to provide you with the resources needed to make an informed vote and to provide a space to learn more about how AARP Pennsylvania has communicated with the candidates, the press, and the public on the issues that matter to Philadelphians 50+.

Have a question about how to vote, where, or when to vote? Want to know who the candidates are? We created this voter guide to help you through some of the most frequently asked questions this election cycle. View our handy voter guide here.

AARP Pennsylvania Poll of Philadelphians 50+

AARP Pennsylvania conducted a poll in February 2023 to better understand where those 50 and older stand on the issues facing Philadelphia this year and to help get the word out to the media and the city that older Philadelphians need to be paid attention to. View the poll results here.

Philadelphia Media Reports on AARP Polling

AARP Pennsylvania regularly provides updates to the media on our work. See the links below for Coverage of our poll and work in the upcoming mayoral election.

Philadelphia Inquirer: What Seniors Want From the Next Mayor

Philadelphia Tribune: AARP Poll Reveals Concerns of Voters of 50

Axios Philadelphia: Philly Seniors Want New Mayor to Solve Crime

Philadelphia Inquirer: Philly’s Mayor: CEO of the City of Philadelphia

Yahoo!: Philadelphia’s Older Adults Want Candidates Who Are Focused on Crime, Safety and Essential Services

Public News Service: Poll: Philadelphians Over 50 Will Play Major Role in Mayoral Primary

AARP Bulletin: Expansive Field Awaits Voters for Philly Mayoral Race

AARP Opinion Editorials

AARP Pennsylvania is interested in engagement. That’s why we regularly write op/eds expressing our viewpoints on issues important to our members and the 50+. See the links below for op/eds penned by AARP Pennsylvania staff and published in local news outlets.

The Philadelphia Citizen: A Mayoral Agenda for Older Philadelphians

AARP Meetings with Mayoral Candidates

Individual invitations were extended to each mayoral candidate. The meetings were held in our Philadelphia office and included AARP Philadelphia volunteers and staff.  Each individual meeting discussion included our poll results and Livable Communities agenda and allowed us to respond to any questions asked about our priorities. Those who accepted our meeting invitation posed for a group photo afterward and the photos were posted on Twitter, which can be viewed by clicking on the individual candidate name below. 

Amen Brown

Jeff Brown

Warren Bloom

James de Leon

Allan Domb

Delscia Gray

Derek Green

Helen Gym

David Oh

Cherelle Parker

Rebecca Rhynhart

AARP Sponsored Forums

AARP Philadelphia members and volunteers spoke up before the May 16 primary by participating in various Mayoral Candidate Forums. These forums were sponsored by AARP Pennsylvania and organized by our community partners.

North Broad Renaissance: Meet the Candidates Forums

PHL Arts Mayoral Forum

Better Mobility Forum

Green Living Plan for Philadelphia Mayoral Candidates Forum

PHL17 Philadelphia Mayoral Forum

PACDC Affordable Housing Mayoral Forum