GOP Eyes Shakeup of Pennsylvania’s Democratic-Majority Court

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Legislation to amend Pennsylvania’s constitution that could cut short the current Democratic majority on the state Supreme Court is advancing through the Republican-controlled Legislature. Final approval of the constitutional change could land in front of voters on the May 2021 primary ballot. It’s a tight timeline, but possible with concerted action. The crux of the Republican-penned constitutional amendment is this: Instead of Supreme Court justices and appellate court judges running for 10-year terms in statewide elections, they would run for the seats in judicial districts where they live. Democrats call it a scheme to gerrymander the courts. Supporters say it would create more geographic and ideological diversity on the bench.


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