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
The Election is Over and the Results Are In
Voters elected Judge Joan Orie Melvin to the Supreme Court. The four Superior Court seats have been filled by Judge Judy Olson, Sallie Mundy, Judge Paula Ott and Judge Anne Lazarus. Patricia McCullough and Kevin Brobson were elected to the two vacancies on the Commonwealth Court.
