2019 Judicial Election Information

As a part of our mission to educate the public on all Pennsylvania judicial matters, Pennsylvanians for Modern Courts monitored and provided information on judicial candidates running in the 2019 cycle. Our primary focus included, but was not limited to, Appellate Court and Court of Common Pleas candidates.

Who was on the ballot?

There were two openings for the Superior Court. Furthermore, there were three Superior Court Judges and two Commonwealth Court Judges whose terms expire in 2020.

There are 456 Common Pleas Court Judge positions in Pennsylvania. As a result of newly created judicial positions, judicial elections, and resignations, there were 42 vacancies on the Courts of Common Pleas on the ballot in 2019.

PMC tracked these and other judicial candidacies throughout the 2019 election cycle and provided news and information about them.

How are judges chosen and how should they be evaluated?

Judges must be members of the Bar of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court (except magisterial district judges, who are instead required to pass an exam). They also must be district residents for one year prior to the election.

Things to consider when evaluating candidates:

1. Legal experience
2. Reputation for integrity and fairness
3. Community involvement and public service
4. Ongoing educational and professional activities
5. Compassion
6. Commitment to equal justice

Where to find relevant information

1. Ratings from the Pennsylvanian Bar Association's Judicial Evaluation Commission
2. Philadelphia Bar Association Voter's Guide
3. League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania
4. Individual Candidates Websites (Many are linked below.)

Pennsylvania voter registration

Click here to register to vote in Pennsylvania.

Find your polling place

Click here to find your polling place.

PMC is a nonpartisan organization. The material on this website is for general education and its posting does not imply that PMC supports or opposes any candidate. As a means to set a precedent and keep things uniform across the state, we did not include candidates on this list until there was a legitimate news story about their candidacy or their campaign reached out to us directly.

The Candidates

Superior Court Candidates

Court of Common Pleas Candidates