Penn's campus has been flooded with signs encouraging civic engagement in the week before the 2024 election.
The displays come amid an uptick in efforts from both student and non-Penn affiliated organizations to mobilize voters on campus and in the larger West Philadelphia community. The signage has been largely funded by a combination of Democratic candidates and an independent group.
At the intersection of 40th and Spruce streets, signage funded by the Pennsylvania Democratic Party advocates for Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris, Democratic vice presidential nominee Tim Walz, and incumbent Sen. Bob Casey (D-Pa.) — all of whom face toss-up elections on Tuesday.
A series of signs encouraging early voting posted at the intersection of 40th and Walnut streets read “Defend Democracy,” “We Won’t Go Back," and “Defend Choice." These signs are primarily visible around large intersections and continue beyond Penn's campus into West Philadelphia. The messaging on the blue and white posters does not explicitly support any specific candidates or political parties, and features no partisan branding.
These signs say that they are funded by Map USA, a nonpartisan independent group — registered as a 501(c)(4) — aimed at “promoting voter engagement among the rising American electorate” and engaging in “direct political communication with voters.” On its website, Map USA states that it has managed nonpartisan and independent expenditure efforts in more than 40 states since 2005.
Map USA did not respond to multiple requests for comment from The Daily Pennsylvanian.
Under Internal Revenue Service policies, 501(c)(4) organizations must be operated exclusively to promote social welfare, which “does not include direct or indirect participation or intervention in political campaigns on behalf of or in opposition to any candidate for public office.” However, they may engage in some political activities, so long as that is not their primary activity.
The issue of 501(c)(4) organizations being involved in “political activity” can be contentious in an election year, according to the IRS.
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