- Today is Election Day
- Today is Election Day
- Today is Election Day
Pennsylvania Decides
Your Guide to Pennsylvania’s Statewide Judicial Races
Key Endorsers: Planned Parenthood Pennsylvania PAC / Pennsylvania Professional Fire Fighters Association / Pennsylvania State Lodge Fraternal Order of Police / The Philadelphia Inquirer /
Pennsylvania Democratic Party
Key Endorsers: Pennsylvania Pro-Life Federation
/ Republican Party of Pennsylvania /
ChamberPAC
Compare the Candidates for PA Supreme Court
Key Endorsers:
- Planned Parenthood Pennsylvania PAC
- Pennsylvania Professional Firefighters Association
- Pennsylvania Democratic Party
- Working Families Party
- The Philadelphia Inquirer
- Pennsylvania State Lodge Fraternal Order of Police
You can view a complete list of McCaffery’s endorsements here.
McCaffery was elected judge of the Superior Court of Pennsylvania in 2019. An Army veteran and West Point graduate, McCaffery received his law degree from Temple University School of Law. He previously served as a judge of the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas and a prosecutor, convicting over a thousand violent criminals. McCaffery is a strong supporter of protecting reproductive rights and voting rights. The Philadelphia Inquirer endorsed McCaffery, calling him a “highly qualified and fair judge” and “the best choice for the Pennsylvania Supreme Court.”
Key Endorsers:
- Pennsylvania Pro-Life Federation*
- Republican Party of Pennsylvania
- ChamberPAC
*Opposes abortion, even in cases of rape or incest.
Carluccio has been a judge on the Montgomery County Court of Common Pleas for almost 15 years, and in 2022 she became president judge. She received her law degree from Widener University School of Law. Carluccio has also served as an assistant United States attorney in the District of Delaware as well as Chief Deputy Solicitor of Montgomery County. Earlier this year, she criticized Pennsylvania’s no-excuse mail-in voting law. Carluccio is also endorsed by anti choice groups, including one that wants to ban abortion even in cases of rape or incest.
*Carluccio does not list any endorsements on her website other than the Pennsylvania Republican Party. Additional endorsements were found in news coverage and organization announcements.
on Reproductive RightsEndorsed By:
- Planned Parenthood Pennsylvania PAC
- VoteProChoice
- Reproductive Freedom for All
McCaffery is a strong supporter of protecting access to abortion and reproductive care, earning him the endorsement of Planned Parenthood Pennsylvania PAC and other pro-choice groups.
on Reproductive RightsEndorsed By:
- Pennsylvania Pro-Life Federation*
- Pennsylvania Pro-Life Coalition
*Opposes abortion, even in cases of rape or incest
Carluccio is endorsed by anti-choice groups, including one that opposes abortion even in cases of rape or incest. In the Republican primary, Carluccio said on her website that she was a defender of “all life under the law.” However, after winning the Republican Primary, that language was removed. Carluccio has also served as the treasurer of her family’s charitable foundation, which has given at least $10,000 to an anti-abortion pregnancy center.
How does the court impact Reproductive Rights?
Ever since the US Supreme Court overturned Roe vs Wade, state Supreme Courts have been at the center of the abortion debate. In some states, the State Supreme Court has protected women’s reproductive rights from anti-choice legislators. In Pennsylvania, the State Supreme Court may ultimately decide if abortion remains legal.
on Criminal Justice & SafetyEndorsed By:
- Pennsylvania State Lodge Fraternal Order of Police
- Pennsylvania State Troopers Association
- Pennsylvania Professional Firefighters Association
- Pennsylvania State Correction Officers Association (PSCOA)
McCaffery convicted more than a thousand violent criminals when he was a prosecutor. As a judge, he’s made rulings that hold accountable murderers and rapists. In a 2021 opinion, McCaffery argued to protect private citizens against overly intrusive police searches.
on Criminal Justice & SafetyEndorsed By:
- None found
As a judge, Carluccio has faced criticism for her handling of important criminal justice issues. In one example, she sentenced a former State Trooper to a minimum prison sentence of only six months after he killed a woman while driving drunk. The trooper was two times over the legal limit.
How does the court impact Criminal Justice & Safety?
The Pennsylvania Supreme Court has often weighed in on criminal justice issues, ranging from cash bail policies to limitations on the use of deadly force by law enforcement to appeals in murder, sexual assault, and other high-stakes cases.
on Voting RightsMcCaffery supports protecting voting rights and ballot access. Asked about Pennsylvania’s no-excuse mail ballot law, McCaffery told the Philadelphia Inquirer that the law “was passed with broad bipartisan support and is designed to encourage voter participation.”
on Voting RightsIn public comments, Carluccio has been critical of laws designed to protect and improve voter participation and access. At an Erie County GOP forum this year, Carluccio criticized Pennsylvania’s no-excuse mail ballot voting law (Act 77,) saying it has been “very bad for our Commonwealth,” according to the Associated Press. Among her campaign’s biggest funders is a PAC tied to billionaire Jeffrey Yass, a top contributor to a PAC that spent millions bankrolling Republicans who sought to reverse the 2020 presidential election results. The Philadelphia Inquirer editorial board also dinged Carluccio for her “inability to clearly repudiate bogus election claims” when she attempted to sidestep a question about the validity of the 2020 results.
How does the court impact Voting Rights?
The state Supreme Court plays a decisive role in many election and voting issues, including a 2022 case where the court upheld no-excuse mail voting in Pennsylvania. The court is expected to take up mail voting again in the near future. Protect Democracy, a nonpartisan group dedicated to ensuring free and fair elections, called this race “particularly vital to the health of Pennsylvania’s democracy,” noting that the newly elected justice “will have the power to shape election policies statewide.”
on LGBTQ+ RightsEndorsed by:
- Liberty City LGBTQ Democratic Club
McCaffery supports LGBTQ+ rights. When he ran for District Attorney, the Philadelphia Gay News reported that “McCaffery said that, if elected, he would do ‘anything and everything’ in his power to promote LGBT equality.”
on LGBTQ+ RightsEndorsed by:
- None found
Carluccio is endorsed by Pennsylvania Pro-Life Coalition, which has opposed same sex marriage.
How does the court impact LGBTQ+ Rights?
The court has weighed in on child custody rights for same-sex partners, anti-bias rules for attorneys, and other issues that impact the LGBTQ+ community.
on Workers’ RightsEndorsed By:
- Pennsylvania Professional Firefighters
Association - Pennsylvania AFL-CIO
- Pennsylvania State Building & Construction Trades Council
- Pennsylvania Conference of Teamsters
- International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local #98
- International Union of Operating Engineers Local #542
- Sheet Metal Workers’ Local Union #19
- Plumbers Union Local #690
* This list does not reflect all of McCaffery’s labor endorsements, which can be viewed in full here.
The son of a union organizer and a school custodian, McCaffery has been “walking a picket line since I was four.” He has earned the endorsement of more than a dozen labor unions across Pennsylvania.
on Workers’ RightsEndorsed By:
- None found
We could not find any record of Carluccio’s position on workers’ rights.
How does the court impact Workers’ Rights?
From upholding Pittsburgh’s paid sick leave policy to enforcing Pennsylvania’s minimum wage law to upholding a collective bargaining contract, the state Supreme Court weighs in on legal issues that impact the health, safety, and financial security of workers across our state.
Endorsed By:
- Planned Parenthood Pennsylvania PAC
- Pennsylvania State Lodge Fraternal Order of Police
- Pennsylvania Professional Fire Fighters Association
- The Philadelphia Inquirer
- VoteProChoice
- Sierra Club
- Pennsylvania Democratic Party
- Working Families Party
- Conservation Voters of Pennsylvania
- Pennsylvania AFL-CIO
- Pennsylvania State Building & Construction Trades Council
* This list does not reflect all of McCaffery’s endorsements, which can be viewed here
Endorsed By:
- Pennsylvania Pro-Life Federation
- Pennsylvania Republican Party
- Pennsylvania Chamber of Business & Industry PAC
Carluccio does not list any endorsements on her site other than the Pennsylvania Republican Party. Additional endorsements were found in news coverage and organization announcements.
Compare other statewide judicial candidates
The Supreme Court is not the only statewide judicial race on your ballot. Pennsylvania’s appellate courts, the Commonwealth and Superior courts, have seats up for election. The Superior Court hears appeals in criminal and civil cases while the Commonwealth Court handles civil actions brought by and against the Commonwealth as well as appeals from state agency decisions.
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Judge Matt WolfDemocratKey Endorsers:
- Planned Parenthood Pennsylvania PAC
- Pennsylvania AFL-CIO
- Philadelphia and Pittsburgh Federation of Teachers
- Sierra Club
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Read Judge Matt Wolf’s Bio
Wolf has been in the United States military for over 20 years and today serves in the Pennsylvania Army National Guard. He is currently the Supervising Civil Judge of the Philadelphia Municipal Court. A former civil rights lawyer, Wolf spent much of his legal career fighting against discrimination in housing. As a judge, he helped to create an eviction diversion program during the COVID-19 pandemic that became a national model, helping tens of thousands of people stay in their homes. He is rated as “Recommended” by the Pennsylvania Bar Association.
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Megan MartinRepublicanKey Endorsers:
- Pennsylvania Pro-Life Federation
- Republican Party of Pennsylvania
- Commonwealth Partners Chamber of Entrepreneurs
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Read Megan Martin’s Bio
Martin is a longtime Republican operative in Pennsylvania, serving as an attorney to former Republican governors and more recently as state Senate parliamentarian. She is endorsed by Pennsylvania Pro-Life Federation, a group that wants to ban abortion even in cases of rape or incest. In a candidate questionnaire, Martin wrote that she agrees with the Supreme Court ruling to overturn Roe v. Wade, a decision that removed reproductive care and abortion access for millions of women. Martin is “Recommended” by the Pennsylvania Bar Association.
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Judge Timika LaneDemocratKey Endorsers:
- Planned Parenthood Pennsylvania PAC
- Pennsylvania AFL-CIO
- Pennsylvania Democratic Party
- Fraternal Order of Police, Lodge #5
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Read Judge Timika Lane’s Bio
Lane currently serves on the Court of Common Pleas for Philadelphia County. She has worked as a public school teacher and a public defender and has helped protect the right to vote as Chief Legal Counsel for a Pennsylvania State Senator. She is “Highly Recommended” by the Pennsylvania Bar Association and has the support of organized labor, education advocates, and women’s and reproductive rights organizations.
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Jill BeckDemocratKey Endorsers:
- Planned Parenthood Pennsylvania PAC
- Philadelphia Federation of Teachers
- Pennsylvania Democratic Party
- Sheriffs Sean Kilkenny (Montgomery County) and Kevin Kraus (Allegheny County)
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Read Jill Beck’s Bio
Beck is an attorney with a history as an advocate for vulnerable communities. Beck said she is running for the Pennsylvania Superior Court to uphold the rights of all Pennsylvanians regardless of race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or income. She is “Highly Recommended” by the Pennsylvania Bar Association and has the support of labor unions, teachers’ unions, reproductive rights and women’s organizations, and progressive advocacy organizations.
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Maria C. BattistaRepublicanKey Endorsers:
- Pennsylvania Pro-Life Federation
- Republican Party of Pennsylvania
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Read Maria C. Battista’s Bio
Battista currently serves as Vice President of a Wayne-based consulting firm and previously served as an Assistant District Attorney and counsel in the Commonwealth Departments of Health and State. She is endorsed by Pennsylvania Pro-Life Federation, a group that wants to ban abortion even in cases of rape or incest. The Pennsylvania Bar Association gave Battista a “Not Recommended” rating.
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Judge Harry SmailRepublicanKey Endorsers:
- Pennsylvania Pro-Life Federation
- Republican Party of Pennsylvania
- Firearm Owners Against Crime PA
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Read Judge Harry Smail’s Bio
Harry F. Smail Jr. serves as Judge of the 10th District Court of Westmoreland County. His previous rulings include a decision to toss out more than 200 ballots in Pennsylvania’s 2020 election, as well as a ruling to allow drilling for oil and gas (known as fracking wells) in a Pittsburgh suburb. Smail is endorsed by Pennsylvania Pro-Life Federation, a group that wants to ban abortion even in cases of rape or incest. He received a “Recommended” rating from the Pennsylvania Bar Association.
How to Vote
Make Your Voting Plan
Election Day is today! Whether you’re looking to drop off your mail ballot or locate your polling place, we’re here to help! From abortion rights to voting rights, there’s a lot on the line and your vote is important. Make your voting plan today …
- Return my Mail Ballot
- VOTE AT HOME: Once you receive your mail ballot, open the envelope and complete the ballot with your choices. Don’t forget to review and complete both sides of the ballot.
- SEAL BALLOT: After you’ve finished voting, seal your ballot in the inner secrecy envelope, which is marked “official election ballot.” Then, place the inner secrecy envelope inside the outer return envelope provided and seal it.
- SIGN ENVELOPE: This final step is CRITICAL to ensuring your vote counts: Sign and date the voter’s declaration on the outer return envelope.
- RETURN AT DROP BOX BY TUESDAY AT 8 PM:You can drop your mail ballot off at one of your county’s designated drop boxes, your local county election office or a designated election location during business hours at any point before Tuesday, November 7 at 8 PM.
For more information about casting a ballot and answers to frequently asked voting questions, visit Pennsylvania Department of State.
- Vote in Person on Election Day
- You can vote in-person on election day at your polling place, which you can find here. Polling locations are open from 7 A.M. to 8 P.M on Election Day
- If you are voting for the first time or voting for the first time specifically in Pennsylvania, you may be asked to show ID.
Valid forms of ID include:
- Pennsylvania driver’s license or PennDOT ID card
- ID issued by any Commonwealth agency
- ID issued by the U.S. Government
- U.S. passport
- U.S. Armed Forces ID
- Student ID
- Employee ID
If you do not have a photo ID, you can use a non-photo identification that includes your name and address:
- Confirmation issued by the County Voter Registration Office
- Non-photo ID issued by the Commonwealth
- Non-photo ID issued by the U.S. Government
- Firearm permit
- Current utility bill
- Current bank statement
- Current paycheck
- Government check
For more information about casting a ballot, visit Pennsylvania Department of State.
Why the PA Supreme Court Race Matters
The Supreme Court of Pennsylvania is the most powerful court in the state, charged with making pivotal decisions that affect us all on everything from abortion rights to voting rights to criminal justice reforms to LGBTQ+ rights and more. The Supreme Court of Pennsylvania has weighed in on critical cases in recent years, including asserting that Pennsylvanians have a right to vote by mail and selecting a new Congressional map.
With the fall of Roe v. Wade, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court is also poised to play a deciding role in the debate around reproductive rights and abortion access. Like other state supreme courts around the country, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court could ultimately decide whether to keep abortion legal in our state.
The upcoming election will decide who will occupy the court’s seventh seat after the death of Chief Justice Max Baer, a Democrat, late last year. In Pennsylvania, we elect our Supreme Court justices to 10-year terms. Justices then run unopposed in nonpartisan “retention elections” where voters decide whether they should continue to serve. In addition to the 2023 race, three judges will face retention elections in 2025.
The guide has been sourced from news coverage, the candidates’ websites, endorsement questionnaires, and other publicly available information. The state Supreme Court has a big impact on Pennsylvanians, and it’s critical that voters have as much information about the candidates as possible.