Pennsylvania Voters Choose to Retain Justices Known for Upholding Civil Liberties

HARRISBURG — Pennsylvania voters expressed their values and priorities at the polls today by voting to retain all three state Supreme Court justices on the ballot. The current Pennsylvania Supreme Court, including the justices retained, has a longstanding history of championing civil liberties. This decision reflects the public's desire to maintain a court that functions with the integrity and fairness needed to protect our individual rights and freedoms, particularly access to essential abortion care, which played a pivotal role in motivating voters in this race.

“Today’s decision underscores the vital role of our state courts and state constitution in safeguarding our commonwealth, particularly in instances where federal actions propagate harm to our communities," remarked Mike Lee, executive director of the ACLU of Pennsylvania. "It also reinforces the power we hold when we actively engage in our system of checks and balances. This 'Yes' to retention is a declaration from Pennsylvanians who believe in our judicial system and trust the justices presiding over our state's highest court to continue acting with allegiance to our state and U.S. constitutions and our well-being."

This outcome follows a $914,000 voter education program paid for by the National ACLU to raise awareness about state Supreme Court retention elections, particularly about the impact on abortion rights and the far-reaching impacts we all can have when we vote and participate in our democracy.