Bill > HB2029

This bill proposes constitutional amendments to Pennsylvania's judicial election and retention process, specifically modifying two key sections of Article V. The bill eliminates the current retention election system, where judges previously could file a declaration to remain in office by a retention vote, and replaces it with a direct re-election process. Under the proposed changes, at the end of their term, justices and judges would become eligible for re-election, subject only to the article's retirement provisions. The bill removes the previous mechanism where a judge who did not file a retention declaration would create an automatic vacancy, and instead establishes that vacancies occurring at the end of an appointive term will be filled by election. The bill also outlines the procedural steps for implementing these constitutional amendments, which include the Secretary of the Commonwealth advertising the proposed changes and submitting them to voters as a single ballot question at the first qualifying general election after the amendments receive two consecutive passages by the General Assembly.

Justice

https://www.palegis.us/legislation/bills/2025/hb2029