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Congress and elections

How City Congress works, and how to run for office.

Photo: The Legislature’s portico and dome at sunset

Every elected official in New Philadelphia sits in City Congress, which writes the city’s laws.1

Who can vote

Citizens with a residence in the city and a valid Citizen ID.2

Elections

  • Elections are held in early November, and polls stay open for at least 3 days.3
  • Vote by official eBallot, or deliver your ballot to City Hall.3
  • The independent New Philadelphia Election Commission runs every election.4

Run for office

Any eligible voter can run.5

Each elected office has a two-year term:6

OfficeTerm
Department head2 years
Member of Congress2 years

There’s no election for Governor while the PILLARS Act is in effect. The department heads govern together as the Interim City Council.7

How Congress works

  • Congress meets in conventions at the New Philadelphia Legislature, 226 New York Avenue.8
  • At each convention, Congress elects a President of Congress.1
  • Legislators are paid $40 for each convention they attend.9

Citizens have the last word

  • If 70% of citizens support it, a decision of Congress is suspended and citizens are invited to deliberate.10
  • A petition signed by 80% of citizens can remove an official from office.11

Sources

  1. 1.City Charter 3 §1
  2. 2.City Charter 10 §8
  3. 3.City Charter 10 §27
  4. 4.City Charter 10 §3
  5. 5.City Charter 10 §11
  6. 6.City Charter 10 §17–18
  7. 7.PILLARS Act (C.A. 2025.01), C.A. 2025.01
  8. 8.City Charter 3 §4
  9. 9.City Charter 3 §8
  10. 10.City Charter 3 §22
  11. 11.City Charter 10 §21

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