The Archdiocese of Philadelphia announced today it will publish its first ever Municipal Voters Guide. The Voters Guide will include responses to specific questions asked of 73 candidates, including seven Philadelphia mayoral candidates, 38 At-Large City Council candidates, and 28 District City Council candidates.

The primary election will be held May 18, 1999. The Voters Guide will be published in the Archdiocesan newspaper, The Catholic Standard and Times, in May, 1999, before the primary election. In addition, the Voters Guide will be made available to the pastors of each of the 121 parishes in the city of Philadelphia.

Questions posed to the candidates will cover a wide range of moral issues. "We will ask the candidates questions about issues such as education, "same-sex" marriage, needle-exchange programs, and abortion," said Guy Ciarrocchi, Director of the Office for Public Affairs. "Our objective is to educate voters in Philadelphia so that they can make an informed and prayerful decision."

The Voters Guide will list responses from all candidates in contested primary election races. A Voters Guide to be issued before the general election in the fall will include responses from all candidates. "We will not endorse any candidate or party, nor do we tell people how to vote," said Ciarrocchi. "The purpose of the Voters Guide is to help people make informed choices."

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Editor's Note: For a copy of the questionnaire submitted to the candidates, please contact the Office for Communications at 215-587-3747.

Contact
John Milelr
Broadcast and Media Specialist
215-587-3747