Currently in Pennsylvania, elections to fill vacancies on the courts are held in odd-numbered years. Appellate court and common pleas court candidates run in partisan elections (i.e., under a party label) for terms of ten years; minor court candidates also run in partisan elections, but for six year terms.
Judicial Elections
The Changing Face of Judicial Elections
Judicial elections in Pennsylvania, and indeed across the nation, have been evolving in troubling directions in recent years. These elections are being increasingly expensive, more divisive and more like elections for other governmental offices. These changes are worrisome because judges are not like other governmental officials. Two important changes involve the evolution of rules governing speech by candidates running for judicial office and the growing influence of money on judicial elections.
Frequently Asked Questions About Judicial Elections
Answers to questions about voting procedures, requirements to run for judicial office and what to consider when voting in judicial elections.
Current Pennsylvania Election
On November 6, 2007, Pennsylvania voters elected two new Supreme Court Justices, three new Superior Court Justices, and many local judges. In addition, of 67 judges, including seven appellate judges, standing for retention 66 were retained. For election results and a preview of the 2009 election, read more.
