City Commissioners: No Contingency Plan For Election Day If SEPTA Strike Lasts
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- With five days until the election, in which Philadelphia is expected to play a crucial role, the city commissioners have no contingency plan for what to do if the Septa strike is still on.
The issue is not getting to the polls from home. Polling places are usually within walking distance. But the bulk of voting takes place before and after work. And with commuting times lasting hours, because of the strike, the usual 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. hours may not work for voters like Pam Fitzpatrick.
"I have to walk six blocks out of my way to go to a school to vote then walk to the train, I'm looking at 15 blocks."
Election officials say the governor could extend the hours, though it would be a complex process involving an emergency declaration and his office says he is focused on getting the strike settled because of all the non-election-related disruption.
The officials decline to say whether they would join SEPTA's planned injunction request.
