Are you unsure about how to vote for Judicial Candidates on your ballot? This year, there are important elections for the statewide Supreme, Superior, and Commonwealth Courts (called Appellate Courts), as well as the countywide Court of Common Pleas and the local Magisterial District Court. This guide will help you understand your choices and their impact.
Why It Matters:
- Judges make decisions on important issues like:
- Elections;
- Quality Education;
- Abortion rights;
- Fair Congressional District maps and gerrymandering
- Holding governments accountable to their responsibilities; and
- The well-being of families across the state.
- Voting for Democratic judges can protect our rights and democracy.
What to Know:
- Appellate Court & Common Pleas Court Judges serve for 10 years and earn over $200,000 each year.
- After 10 years, they face a “retention vote”, which has only failed once since 1968
- Each level of the courts has at least one vacancy, and there are retention questions on your ballot
Court Details
Supreme Court
- Highest appellate court
- 7 Justices
- Hears appeals from the Commonwealth and Superior Courts
- Court has discretion on which cases they hear
In this election, we are voting to fill on Vacancy. The Democrat on the Ballot is Judge Daniel McCaffery.
Superior Court
- Hears cases from Court of Common Pleas including criminal, civil, or child and family matters
- 15 Judges
- Cases are heard before 3 or 9 Judges
In this election, we will be voting for TWO judges to fill vacancies. The Democrats on the Ballot are Jill Beck, and Judge Timika Lane
Additionally, we are voting whether to retain two additional judges, President Judge Jack Panella, elected as a Democrat in 2003, and Judge Vic Stabile, elected as a Republican in 2013.
Commonwealth Court
- Hears cases regarding state and local governments and regulatory agencies (essentially acting as means of government oversight and accountability)
- 9 Judges
- cases are heard before 1, 3, or 7 Judges.
In this election, we will be voting for one judge. The Democratic Candidate is Judge Matt Wolf.
Court of Common Pleas
- County-wide Trial and Appellate Court
- 43 Judges.
- Hears appeals from Magisterial District Courts
- Trial court for civil, criminal, family, juvenile, and estate cases.
In this election, we are voting to fill one opening within the court. The Democratic Candidate is Patrick Sweeney.
Magisterial District Court
- Local Court, in our area, covers 15th and 31st Wards.
- Decides whether criminal cases go to the Court of Common Pleas
- Responsible for small claims, landlord disputes, issuing protection orders, and hearing misdemeanor cases
- Salary of $106,254
- 6 Year Term
In the 15th Ward, our Magisterial District is 05-2-36, which covers all of the 15th Ward and the 31st Ward. Magisterial District Court Judges are paid a salary of $106,254.
The Democratic Candidate is Judge James Hanley, who is running unopposed.