Who is Running for Judge in Pennsylvania?

There are quite a few judicial candidates on Bucks County ballots this fall. Voters often have difficulty making informed decisions about these candidates. The League of Women Voters of Bucks County would like to help.

Go to Vote411.org for information about judicial candidates

For all candidates running for open positions in the coming election, the League’s online voters guide, Vote411.org provides background information and their answers to questions posed by the League. This guide can help you know more about each candidate and help you make an informed decision.

Candidate forums are another way to learn about judicial candidates. For the Judge of the Court of Common Pleas race in Bucks County, you can view a recording of our recent forum with candidates Attorney Tiffany Thomas-Smith and Attorney Stephen Corr here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g2hscJfx57o

For the statewide races, you can view a series of candidate forums recorded in September by Pennsylvanians for Modern Courts in association with the League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania and other good-government organizations here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwomMqXnneGKk-WLIn9lrPmfU5CAlLhAH

Judicial Retention

Bucks County voters will find six judges up for retention on their ballots this fall. The concept of retention is confusing to many, and the League has received many questions on the topic.

All Pennsylvania judges except Magisterial District judges are elected for 10 year terms. At the end of their term, they may run in a retention election for a further 10 years.

A retention election is designed to be a nonpolitical way of reelecting judges in Pennsylvania. Sitting judges do not campaign or run against another candidate, but voters are asked “yes” or “no” whether to retain the judge. No political affiliation is listed for these judges. The idea is to keep incumbent judges out of politics while still holding them accountable to the voters.

Where to learn about judges up for retention

Unfortunately, most voters are not familiar with the records and performance history of judges and find it hard to make an informed decision on retention.

The Pennsylvania Bar Association does provide ratings and information on many of the judges running for retention at www.pavotesmart.com/current-judicial-ratings/.