US EditionRetention Election in PA: What It Means for the Supreme Court
Voters decide whether to retain three Democratic justices amid debates over abortion, election law, and mail voting; millions of dollars influence this pivotal Pennsylvania retention election.
- On Nov. 4, Pennsylvania voters will decide if Democratic Justices Christine Donohue, Kevin Dougherty and David Wecht keep 10-year terms in a historic contest to reshape the 5-2 liberal majority.
- The Pennsylvania Supreme Court's recent rulings have included last year's decision in Allegheny Reproductive Health Center v. Pennsylvania Department of Human Services that found a Medicaid abortion funding ban 'presumptively unconstitutional' and upheld Act 77 mail voting in 2022.
- Ad reservations reveal Democrats and Democratic-aligned groups poured more than $12 million, outspending Republicans 4-1, with total spending exceeding $15 million through Friday.
- If one or more justices fail retention, their seats would likely remain vacant until the 2027 election, producing a 2-2 court, while Gov. Josh Shapiro faces a GOP-controlled state Senate and Justice Christine Donohue must retire in 2027 at age 75.
- Turnout figures show only about 17% of registered voters cast ballots in Philadelphia's primary this year, while legal experts warn politicizing retention votes threatens a system with one justice removed in more than 50 years.
22 Articles
22 Articles
Retention election in PA: what it means for the Supreme Court
HARRISBURG — Pennsylvania voters will be asked on Nov. 4 whether to give state Supreme Court justices Christine Donohue, Kevin Dougherty, and David Wecht more time on the bench. These yes-or-no retention elections are a big deal, and if Republicans succeed in their stated goal of getting Pennsylvanians to vote “no,” they could set the stage for a total remaking of the court. But the process is also very different from a traditional election, and…
Trump urges Pennsylvania to vote for 'rule of law' and against ‘radical’ Democratic judges
President Donald Trump took to his Truth Social account on Sunday evening to encourage Pennsylvanians to vote against the retention of Pennsylvania Supreme Court justices on Nov. 4. The elections determine if the three current state Supreme Court justices, Christine Donohue, Kevin Dougherty, and David Wecht, all Democrats, will serve another 10-year term. They were initially elected in 2015, which gave Pennsylvania’s Supreme Court a 5-2 Democrat…
Five things we’re watching ahead of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court retention election
The high-stakes retention election over whether Justices Christine Donohue, Kevin Dougherty, and David Wecht should remain on the bench is the biggest race on Pennsylvania's November ballot.
Daily Local News
With 3 Pa. Supreme Court justices up for retention, here are key recent rulings
Democrats have held a majority on Pennsylvania’s Supreme Court for 10 years, and this year’s uniquely politicized and costly retention election gives voters the chance to keep that majority intact or potentially flip the court within a couple years. Democratic Justices Christine Donohue, Kevin Dougherty and David Wecht face “yes” or “no” votes on their retention for another 10-year term. While there are no term limits for the court, there is an …
Philly leaders prep voters for Election Day; Tuesday deadline to request mail-in ballots
With Election Day a week away, residents are preparing to visit their polling stations to cast their ballots. For those concerned about schedules and long lines, there are options to make sure their voice is heard without interrupting their day.
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