PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Despite all the efforts focused on younger voters, senior citizens continue to have the highest turn-out in elections, and Philadelphia officials are trying to make sure as many older voters as possible have the chance to cast their ballots with their new Platinum Voters initiative.
Philadelphia City Commissioners have teamed up with city council members for the effort.
Councilwoman Nina Ahmad has compiled a list of nursing homes in each council district where residents may have mobility challenges or otherwise not get out to vote in person.
“As a society, we need to include everyone and make sure no one is left behind,” she said.
Commissioner Omar Sabir said election staff is making sure older voters get all the materials they need for their mail-in ballots.
“We bring all of the applications and then we collect them, check for errors and it’s definitely a way to increase voter turn-out and meet voters where they are,” he said.
He went on to say that older voters could determine the outcome of the election in November.
“We want to be able to take advantage of every eligible voter. And this election could be very close so we don’t want to leave anything on the table,” said Sabir. “One or two percent could decide the race for the whole Commonwealth.”