PCCJR Releases Supreme Court Retention Election Guide

HARRISBURG – In advance of the 2025 General Election, the Pennsylvania Coalition for Civil Justice Reform (PCCJR) is implementing a voter education outreach program to help inform voters before they cast their vote. This November, voters will have the opportunity to significantly influence the make-up and future of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court as three of the seven justices – Justices Kevin Dougherty, Christine Donohue and David Wecht – are standing for retention to serve another 10-year term. As part of its outreach efforts, PCCJR is pleased to release its Supreme Court Retention Election guide, which gives an overview of the retention process and the important issues that come before the court.

“While often considered ‘off’ election years, judicial elections are extremely important,” PCCJR Executive Director Curt Schroder said. “The decisions the court makes have long lasting effects on the Commonwealth’s legal climate and economy – impacting employers, jobs and health care access.”

This guide will help voters understand the impact of the Supreme Court when it hands down decisions that expand liability, damages, venue, or jurisdiction and how these decisions affect Pennsylvania. Over the last 10 years, the Supreme Court as a whole handed down decisions expanding liability, damages, venue, or jurisdiction 63 percent of the time. PCCJR’s Retention Election guide highlights the percentage of time the justices standing for retention voted to expand concepts of liability, damages, venue, or jurisdiction.

Known as retention elections, judges appear on the ballot without their party affiliation and voters choose either “yes” for another term or “no” to oppose their continued service on the bench.

“While PCCJR does not take a position on voting yes or no on retention, our organization feels it’s important that voters are informed of the issues before the court and the impacts they will have on our state,” Schroder added.

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The Pennsylvania Coalition for Civil Justice Reform is a 501(c )(6), not-for-profit, nonpartisan advocacy organization comprised of a diverse group of organizations and individuals committed to bringing fairness to Pennsylvania’s courts by raising awareness of civil justice issues and advocating for legal reform. Additional information is available at http://www.paforciviljusticereform.org.

Curt Schroder
Executive Director
Pennsylvania Coalition for Civil Justice Reform
717-461-3577