The Committee of Seventy is an independent, non-partisan advocate for better government in Philadelphia that works to achieve clean and effective government, better elections, and informed and engaged citizens. Founded in 1904, it is a nonprofit organization guided by a board of directors made up of business, legal, and civic leaders. They have an app focused on their WeVote initiative. They also sponsor an anti-gerrymandering initiative called Draw the Lines PA. History In 1904, the Committee of Seventy was set up with the goal of making voting better, getting more competent and honest people into government, fighting corruption, and keeping people informed and involved in the important issues of the day. The group was a big reason why changes were made to the civil service and why the Home Rule Charters of 1919 and 1951 were passed. By the mid-century, Seventy had broadened its focus to include public policy and civic education. From 2005 to 2010, Seventy led the fight to defend campaign financing limits, including a lawsuit initiated by Seventy that was eventually heard by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, to implement tough new public ethics laws, and to sever the tie between contracts and political contributions in Philadelphia. Seventy is still the person to go to for reliable information and analysis about Philadelphia's political culture and government. Name The name comes from the Bible. According to the organization's website, "Chronicling the Israelites’ journey through the desert, Exodus tells of seventy elders who were appointed to assist Moses in the governance of the people." In 1904, this Committee of Seventy was so named to represent an analogous function: "to be the ethical backbone of a city forgetting its conscience." The references appear in Exodus 24:1–9, in which God instructs Moses on how to proceed once Israel accepts the Covenant: "And he said unto Moses, "Come up unto the LORD, thou, and Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel; and worship ye from afar off." Exodus 24:1. A Committee of Seventy already existed in 19th-century New York City. Organization and leadership A Board of over 60 civic, business, labor, and nonprofit leaders leads the Committee of Seventy. Its current Chair is Eric Kraeutler, a Partner at the law firm of Morgan Lewis. Seventy operates in a lean staffing mode (a "118-year-old startup") with 6 full-time employees and another 12–15 consultants, project managers, and special advisors at any