Pennsylvania Judicial Elections
There are unusually high-profile retention elections on the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. There are also elections for each of the state’s two intermediate appellate courts.
Polls close at 8:00 PM Eastern Time.
Supreme Court
Prediction Market
Pennsylvania is one of just seven states that selects Supreme Court justices through partisan elections. The Court has seven justices, each initially elected to a ten-year term. After ten years, a retention election is held. Party affiliation doesn’t appear on the retention ballot.
A ‘yes’ vote gives the justice another ten years, while a ‘no’ vote ousts him or her from the bench.
In the case of a ‘no’ vote, the governor would appoint an interim justice who would need to be confirmed by the state Senate. A regular election for that seat would be held in the next odd year. Votes against retention are rare. In fact, it has only happened once since the current process was adopted in the late 1960s.
The current split on the Court is 5-2 in favor of Democrats. Three justices – all Democrats – are up for retention. While these elections have traditionally been low-key, Republicans – unhappy with some of the Court’s decisions in recent years – are making a more aggressive effort this year to get out the ‘no’ vote.
If all these justices were denied retention, the Court would be split at 2-2. Since Gov. Josh Shapiro is a Democrat and Republicans hold a large majority in the state Senate, those seats could remain vacant for quite a while.
While justices can serve unlimited terms, they are subject to mandatory retirement at age 75. Justice Donohue will reach that age in 2027. Even if she is retained, she will leave the bench that year. The replacement process is the same. In this case, an interim appointee, once confirmed, would serve until an election in 2029.
Appellate Courts
Pennsylvania has two intermediate appellate courts. Each has one vacancy to be filled by special election and one retention election.
Prediction Markets (for special elections)
Superior Court
There are 15 positions on the Pennsylvania Superior Court. The partisan composition is currently eight Democrats and six Republicans. Daniel McCaffery won election to the State Supreme Court in November, 2023 and resigned at the beginning of 2024. The seat has remained vacant since that time.
Commonwealth Court
There are nine judges positions on the Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court. The partisan composition is currently five Republicans and three Democrats. Ellen Ceisler retired at the beginning of 2025. The seat has remained vacant since that time.