You can find a full list of counties by judicial district here. Some districts contain multiple counties. Then, there are Common Pleas judges who are elected by district, of which there are 60. This system is different in Philadelphia, where voters elect municipal and traffic judges. They are elected to six-year terms, and face an opponent for reelection rather than a yes-or-no vote. Magisterial district judges, sometimes called the “frontline” of the state’s justice system, issue arrest and search warrants, approve protection from abuse orders, oversee evictions, set bail, and can officiate weddings.Ĭandidates do not have to be lawyers to hold the position however, those elected are required to take four weeks of training and pass an exam.
Local judgeships fall into two main categories. Among other duties, the latter are responsible for prosecuting people who are arrested. They set and enact a range of policies, from local property tax rates to zoning rules to police budgets.įinally, candidates are running for positions that influence the criminal justice system, including constables, local judges, and district attorneys. They serve four-year terms.Īlso on the ballot will be the many executive and legislative branch officials of local governments, including school board members, mayors, county commissioners, and in Allegheny County, the county executive. Some candidates are running for specialized municipal or countywide positions such as tax collector, controller, coroner, and register of wills, who issue marriage licenses. Here are some steps you can take to prepare for May 16: What do these officials do? That’s why it’s important to check a sample ballot or contact your county about what’s on your ballot ahead of Election Day. However, all voters, including those who are unaffiliated or who are registered to a third party, can vote in special elections that coincide with a spring primary - there are two on May 16 - or for local ballot initiatives. The same rule applies to Republican voters. Only Democrats can vote for Democratic candidates vying to move to the November general election. Pennsylvania has a closed, partisan primary system.
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