How do judges initially win a seat on the bench and how do they continue to hold those seats?

When first selected for full terms of office, justices of the Supreme Court, judges of the statewide Superior and Commonwealth courts and judges of country Common Pleas courts run as a member of a political party.

After serving initial 10-year terms, those jurists who seek reelection do so through “retention elections” in which they are not affiliated with any political party. Retention is a nonpartisan method of reelecting Pennsylvania judges and is intended to be politically neutral as it does not require judges to engage in campaigning against other candidates.

Retention is specifically designed to keep judges out of the political fray while at the same time holding them accountable to the voters based on their overall records and performance in office. The intent is to provide a fair and nonpartisan way for the public to judge its judges.

In retention elections, judicial candidates do not participate in spring primary elections. Their names appear on the ballot only in November general elections. Voters are asked to vote “yes” or “no” on whether to reelect each judge seeking retention. The names of the candidates are listed on a separate area of the ballot, apart from individuals running for executive and legislative offices. No political affiliation is listed for retention candidates.

Information by AOPC — Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts — Office of Communications