Judicial Candidates: Vote YES to RETAIN
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Judicial Retention: A Guide to the Courts for Supporters of Public Education

In 2025, three Pennsylvania Supreme Court justices are up for retention: Christine Donohue, Kevin Dougherty, and David Wecht. Together, these justices have contributed to landmark decisions that directly affect the daily lives of Pennsylvanians and educators.

Pennsylvania Supreme Court justices don’t run against opponents when their terms end—they face a judicial retention election every 10 years. It’s a nonpartisan vote: no parties, no challengers, just a simple “yes” or “no” on whether a sitting justice should stay on the bench.

Here’s what you need to know:

Judicial retention elections in Pennsylvania ensure accountability while preserving judicial independence. After serving an initial 10-year term, judges and justices appear on the ballot for a simple “yes” or “no” vote to determine whether they will serve another 10 years.

  • Nonpartisan Process: No political affiliations or challengers are listed on the ballot, focusing solely on a judge’s qualifications and performance.
  • Unique to Pennsylvania: Unlike federal judges with lifetime appointments, Pennsylvania voters have a direct say in whether judges remain on the bench.

Why 2025 Matters

The 2025 retention elections will shape the future of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, which has issued rulings with wide-reaching implications for the commonwealth.

These elections will determine how the court addresses issues that impact the daily lives of Pennsylvanians.

With three justices up for retention in 2025, the outcome of these elections will have long-term implications for the rights, protections, and opportunities of everyday Pennsylvanians for years to come.

In Pennsylvania, the PASC has a significant impact on issues that impact public education and public school employees, such as:

  • School funding
  • Public employee pensions
  • Union protections
  • Democracy and fairness

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