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How To Become A Committee Person 

URGENT UPDATE: As of the 2026 Primary Election, the Republican Party had over 3,000 vacancies for committeeperson positions, because only about 300 got enough signatures to get on the ballot!  If there is a vacancy on your ballot for committeeperson, please consider writing-in your name and get other Republicans at your poll to do the same. Just hold or wear a sign and ask Republican voters at your polling place to write-in your name! You can also ask the City Commissioners to email you a street list for your division, so that you know who to contact. The more write-ins you get, the better your chances are to win. Try to get at least 10, because how many you'll need is currently in the courts being decided - See Article  /  Write-In Instructions  / Check CommitteePerson Election Results (to see who is already on the ballot). Join the Battle for a Better Philadelphia!

The Foundation Of Political Parties

The Committee Person is the foundation of any political party. Think about the American Revolution's "Minute Men". They constituted a vital network upon which our Revolution's leaders depended for their eventual success. The same fundamentals are at work today. A robust committee person network is invaluable to the success of any party. And that's why Committee Persons are extremely important.

What is the role of a GOP Committee Person?  

  • See: The Committee Person Handbook. However, the role is what you make of it...
  • Committee Persons vote for their Ward leader, who then votes for the Party Chair, who represents the Party to the Public!
  • Help collect signatures on petitions for candidates running for office, which is extremely important for candidates for higher office who may need hundreds or thousands of signatures.
  • Help get out the vote for Election Day
  • Work the polls on Election Day
  • Report any errors on the Voters Street List to do with people who have moved, died, changed parties, etc..
  • Attend monthly meetings, usually zoom. (Although many GOP Wards do not hold monthly meetings... in violation of their bylaws). Or you can always join our MEETUP and attend our monthly zoom and in-person meetings!
  • Keep your Division informed about local political issues
  • Or get politically engaged by working with us, Philly's Republican Network!

Philadelphia is divided into 66 wards, each of which is divided into from 11 to 51 divisions – 1,703 in all. Each Division can have 2 committee-people for each party. Committee Persons are elected every four years in the Primary Election only, there is no General Election for Committee Persons because it is an in-party election, not between the political parties. (See Rotation Calendar of Elective Offices) So, the Committee Person election in the Primary election IS also their General Election. A fact that is part of the current legal battle.

How Do I Become A Committee Person?

  • Find your Ward & Division

  • Find Your Ward Leader or contact PhillyGOP.  You don't need anyone's permission or the party's endorsement to run for Committee Person, but it can be very helpful and make the difference in the election.

  • Obtain a petition from the City Commissioners' Office (or Download a Petition)

  • Get a street list from your Ward Leader or City Commissioners' Office, so that you know which voters are Republicans in their Division

  • Collect at least 10 signatures of Republican voters in their Division to get on the ballot for the primary election in the spring, but be aware that signatures can be challenged by others, so be sure those Republicans who sign your petition are on the Street List.

  • Abide by the Deadlines for Candidates.

  • Write-Ins: You can skip the "petition process" and simply "write-in" your name on Primary Election day (and ask your supporters in their divisions do the same). Again, try to get at least 10 write-ins. Those who get the most votes over ten (under today's legal ruling) will win the election. It's a riskier strategy, but it's an option. 

  • GOP Appointment: This in another option, that for any time during the 4-year term, the party chair or ward leaders can appoint Committee Persons, but they can also easily remove Committee Persons, because they were not elected (or if they violate the party's Bylaws).

How Do I Recruit More Republican Committee People or Volunteers In My Ward?

  • Get a street list from your Ward Leaders or City Commissioners' Office, so that you know which voters are Republicans in your Ward.

  • Contact the Republicans in your Ward by either by Letter using USPS or dropping it off at their door, at which time you can also speak with them.

  • In the Letter offer to email a PDF street list to any Republican in your Ward who wants to know who their Republican neighbors are in their Division.

GOOD LUCK!  E-MAIL US IF YOU NEED HELP OR WANT TO JOIN OUR EFFORTS!

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