Penn’s campus was awash with signs encouraging civic engagement by democratic, independent groups

Penn’s campus was awash with signs encouraging civic engagement in the week before the 2024 election.

The displays come amid an increase in efforts by both students And non-Penn affiliated organizations to mobilize voters on campus and in the greater West Philadelphia community. The signage was largely funded by a combination of Democratic candidates and an independent group.

At the intersection of 40th Street and Spruce Street, signage funded by the Pennsylvania Democratic Party advocates for Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris, Democratic vice presidential candidate Tim Walz and incumbent Senator Bob Casey (D-Pa.) – all of whom get with toss- Tuesday elections.

Signs encouraging early voting have been posted at the intersection of 40th Street and Walnut Street that read “Defend Democracy,” “We Won’t Go Back,” and “Defend Choice.” These signs are especially visible around major intersections and extend beyond Penn’s campus into West Philadelphia. The messages on the blue and white posters do not explicitly support specific candidates or political parties, and do not contain partisan branding.

These signs indicate that they are funded by Map USA, a nonpartisan independent group – registered as a 501(c)(4) – aimed at “promoting voter engagement among the emerging 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.

Below Policy of the Tax Authorities501(c)(4) organizations must be managed solely to promote social welfare, which “does not include direct or indirect participation in or intervention in political campaigns on behalf of or in opposition to any candidate for public office.” However, they may engage in certain political activities, as long as that is not their main activity.

The issue of 501(c)(4) organizations engaging in “political activities” can be controversial in an election yearaccording to the tax authorities.