We are Mobilizing our Neighbors to Defend our Freedoms

OUR RIGHTS ARE ON THE BALLOT THIS YEAR!

What is Riverwards Votes?

Riverwards Votes! is a grassroots voter outreach effort co-founded in 2024 by State Senator Nikil Saval, State Representative Joe Hohenstein, 18th Ward Democrats, and Riverwards Area Democrats. Together, our expansive coalition of Democratic elected officials, party members, organizers, and volunteers is working to mobilize voters in our community to defend our freedoms.

Philadelphia’s Riverwards area includes the neighborhoods of Northern Liberties, Fishtown, East Kensington, Olde Richmond, Kensington, and Port Richmond neighborhoods — representing Wards 5 (in part), 18, 25, and 31.

Every Vote Matters

Home to one of the youngest constituencies in the city, the Riverwards is a critical voter bloc with the power to shape not only the future of our city, but the future of our commonwealth and our country.

This year, there are many important statewide judicial races on the ballot — including three Pennsylvania Supreme Court Justices up for retention — and our votes will decide the future of healthcare and reproductive rights, worker protections, public school funding, and free and fair elections in Pennsylvania!

The courts are our last line of defense against Trump’s extremist agenda. That’s why billionaire-backed dark money groups are spending millions to fill Pennsylvania’s courts with MAGA extremists — all so they can further tilt the scales in their favor.

This November, we must take a stand against the attacks on our democratic institutions, the defunding our schools, and the dismantling our rights. Together we can defend our freedoms and and build toward a better future — but we need your help!

This only happens with you. Will you join us?

VOLUNTEER

The Riverwards

Philadelphia’s Riverwards area includes the neighborhoods of Northern Liberties, Fishtown, East Kensington, Olde Richmond, Kensington — representing Wards 5 (in part), 18, 25, and 31.

The 2024 Presidential Election

In 2024, Riverwards Votes! organized a diverse grassroots coalition of over 200 volunteers to mobilize our neighbors to vote. Together we knocked on nearly 18,000 doors throughout the final 8 weeks and contacted nearly 1,000 mail-in voters over GOTV Weekend to ensure every vote counted. And in addition to these conventional methods of outreach, we also commissioned local artists for a public art campaign and distributed hundreds of posters containing election information and deadlines to help inform voters.

While the election did not end in the outcome we strived for, we were nonetheless successful in increasing Democratic turnout in the Riverwards:

Despite strong national headwinds that saw 90% of U.S. counties shifting in favor of Trump, as well as decreased Democratic turnout throughout the city and across the country, we bucked the trend here in the Riverwards because of our tireless efforts.

Riverwards Votes! will continue to organize to protect our freedoms and defend of our democratic values — just as we did in 2024. Together we will build a brighter future for our families.