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Calling on Mayor Michael A. Nutter to immediately issue an Executive Order to allow any municipal workers who are unable to vote due to their scheduled work hours be allowed time off for the purpose of voting in Local, State or National elections, and in such cases they will be paid for the absent time occurring within any time which is scheduled as part of their normal work week.
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WHEREAS, According to data from the United States Census Bureau in 2013, 582,455 Philadelphia residents over the age of 16 are workers; of these workers 564,921 are employed outside of their home; and
WHEREAS, According to data from the United States Census Bureau in 2013, 59.1% of Philadelphia residents commute to work via car, truck, van or carpool; and
WHEREAS, According to data from the United States Census Bureau in 2013, 25.6% of Philadelphia residents commute via public transportation; and
WHEREAS, Of the gathered data, 52.1% of these employees have a travel time of 30 minutes or greater to their place of employment; and
WHEREAS, In the State of Pennsylvania and City of Philadelphia, the polls are open on the Primary Election day and General Election from 7:00 am to 8:00 pm; and
WHEREAS, The United States Census Bureau stated in 2013 that 72.8% of Philadelphia residents are employed during the hours that election day polls are open; and
WHEREAS, It is not uncommon for City of Philadelphia employees, especially in first responder positions to hae scheduled hours of 12 hours or more; and
WHEREAS, According to preliminary data this would impact approximately 500 first responders in the City of Philadelphia and numerous other municipal workers; now, therefore
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That City Council hereby urges the Mayor to issue an Executive Order allowing municipal workers who are essentially prohibited from voting due to scheduled work hours paid time off for the purpose of voting in Local, State and National Elections.
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