Join us for a Policy Coffee Talk featuring Fels Distinguished Fellow Mike DiBerardinis and Seth Bluestein '11, Philadelphia City Commissioner. Policy Coffee Talks are offered to MPA and EMPA students as a unique “off-record” opportunity to discuss current events and relevant policy issues with active practitioners.
About Seth Bluestein
Seth Bluestein has served as city commissioner—one of three members of the Board of Elections in charge of election operations and voter registration for the City of Philadelphia—since February 2022. Prior to serving as commissioner, Seth was chief deputy commissioner for former city commissioner Al Schmidt.
Seth began working in the Office of the City Commissioners in 2012 as a deputy commissioner before being promoted to chief deputy commissioner in 2017. From 2018 through 2021, Seth also served as the department’s chief integrity officer.
Seth has spent more than a decade serving Philadelphia voters, with a focus on improving the voter experience and ensuring our elections remain fair, secure, and accessible. He has overseen election integrity investigations and quality control audits for the department. An advocate for transparency, Seth has worked to transform the department’s website, communications, and open data initiatives.
A lifelong Philadelphian, Seth earned a Bachelor of Arts in political science and history from the University of Pennsylvania and a Master of Public Administration from the Fels Institute of Government at the University of Pennsylvania.
