Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania’s highest court is the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania. The court has six justices and one chief justice, who is the longest-serving member of the court. (Source: Pennsylvania Constitution)
Judicial Selection
Justices on the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania are selected to a 10-year term through a partisan election, where multiple candidates may vie for the seat. Justices may seek additional 10-year terms through standing in an unopposed yes/no retention vote. When a seat opens in the middle of a justice’s term, the governor appoints a candidate to fill the vacancy. The governor’s selection must be confirmed by a two-thirds vote of the state senate. The appointed justice holds office until the next municipal election more than 10 months after the vacancy opened, unless the remainder of the seat’s term runs out before then. The elected justice serves a 10-year term. There are no term limits. The mandatory retirement age is 75.
State Constitution
Pennsylvania has had five state constitutions adopted between 1776 and 1968. As of January 1, 2026, it had 36 amendments. (Data on file with John Dinan, Wake Forest University.)
Pennsylvania’s Radical Constitution: An Experiment in the Making
Filters
The Writ of Mandamus in State Courts
The centuries-old remedy is increasingly used to force hotly contested political issues before state courts.
What Is ‘Punishment’? How State Courts Can Fix a Destructive Flaw In Eighth Amendment Case Law
Courts should consider prison conditions and collateral consequences — not just prison time — when reviewing whether punishment is excessive under state constitutions.
Pennsylvania Supreme Court Election Could Shape Direction of State Law
The candidates for an open seat on Pennsylvania’s supreme court have very different approaches to legal interpretation.
Interview: The Movement Toward ‘Green Amendments’ in State Constitutions
The founder of Green Amendments For The Generations, Maya van Rossum, discusses the impact of enshrining environmental rights in state constitutions.
The Stakes in Pennsylvania’s Supreme Court Election
The outcome could have big implications for abortion rights, elections, and more.
Voting Rights Under State Constitutions, Explained
All but one state constitution affirmatively establishes a right to vote.
The Federalization Dimension in Takings
The U.S. Supreme Court does not always lead and state courts do not always follow.
How Texas Law Lets the State Get Around Injunctions
An unusual state court procedure allows the attorney general to undo trial court rulings just by filing an appeal.