The 2019 Pennsylvania General Election

           Tuesday, November 5 is General Election Day in Pennsylvania.  There are state judicial, county, magisterial district judge, constable, municipal and school district offices on the ballot, as well as a statewide ballot question.  This municipal election is of great significance because these offices affect people most directly and in many ways. 

            There are two State Superior Court seats being contested.  As the appellate court for all criminal and most civil cases, the Superior Court is of critical importance, especially because the State Supreme Court hears relatively few cases, thus making the Superior Court the court of final judgment in most appeals.  There is a Superior Court Judge on the ballot for retention for another ten years, as are two Commonwealth Court Judges.  That court hears all cases in which the Commonwealth is a party.

            Pennsylvania’s Counties elect their Councils or Commissions.  Magisterial District Judges and Constables in some districts will be chosen.  The Commonwealth’s municipalities (cities, boroughs and townships) will elect officials.  In each of the state’s school districts, except Philadelphia, voters will choose school directors to serve on school boards.

            There are conservative and pro-life candidates on the ballot for many of these offices who are not necessarily Trumpist.

            Pennsylvanians will be able to cast ballots on a constitutional referendum to amend the Commonwealth’s Constitution to include a bill of rights for crime victims, such as notification rights, the right to provide an impact statement and to seek restitution.  These rights are codified in law, but not in the Constitution.  Having them as part of the Constitution would better guarantee these rights.  The proposed rights do not effectively take away any rights of the accused, despite what opponents are arguing.  A legal challenge to the scope of the amendment and to the adequacy of the explanation that appears on the ballot has led to a Commonwealth Court-imposed injunction whereby the votes will be tallied, but not be effective.  Nevertheless, a strong vote in favor would signify support for constitutional protection for the rights of crime victims.

            In some counties, voters will be using new voting machines that were upgraded to prevent better against hacking, as per federal recommendation because of Russian hacking of state election systems in 2016.  The machines have paper backup to ensure a vote was cast and to allow the results to be audited.  Other counties will be making the transition by the 2020 election, when certain election reforms that were enacted last week will also go into effect. 

           Votes in lower-turnout municipal elections count for more proportionally than when there is a higher turnout, such as when there are federal elections.  The polls are open from 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM.  Make your plans today to vote on Tuesday.