Overview

• Voters will decide whether to retain Justices Christine Donohue, Kevin Dougherty and David Wecht in a yes-or-no election that could deadlock the court through 2027 if any are ousted.
• A new Franklin & Marshall poll shows large shares of voters undecided, though likely-voter models give the retention side double-digit leads for all three justices.
• Pro-retention groups have centered abortion access in their appeal, featuring a new ad with Gov. Josh Shapiro and fresh six-figure outreach from Planned Parenthood Votes.
• Conservative-aligned PACs tied to billionaire Jeffrey Yass are funding a wave of ads and mailers, including pieces falsely blaming the court for gerrymandered maps and promoting “term limits” language for a retention vote.
• Nonpartisan and professional voices are urging caution about misinformation, with the League of Women Voters directing voters to impartial resources, physicians warning of reproductive health impacts, and the Pennsylvania Bar Association recommending retention of all three justices.