Election season is here again in Pennsylvania. On Tuesday, November 4, 2025, Pennsylvanians will head to the polls, casting votes in local and statewide races that will impact our families and communities for years to come.
Odd-year elections don’t always grab headlines. But they are crucial, nonetheless.. Your ballot will include the school board and, depending on where you live, could include races for mayor, city council, district attorney, and various county positions. Statewide, every voter will also see judicial races and retention questions for Pennsylvania’s appellate courts—including the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania.
And this year, the Supreme Court retention vote is especially critical.
What’s at Stake in the 2025 Retention Elections
Three justices of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court—Christine Donohue, Kevin Dougherty, and David Wecht—are each asking voters to give them another 10 years on the bench. Your choice is a simple “Yes” or “No” for each justice. But the impact of those choices could not be more profound.
These are not unfamiliar names. Each of these justices has already issued rulings that shaped life, family, elections, and the limits of government power in Pennsylvania. Consider just a few examples from their record:
- Abortion: All three justices sided with the abortion industry in a case challenging Pennsylvania’s longstanding ban on taxpayer funding of abortions. Justices Donohue and Wecht went further, backing the claim that there is a “right to reproductive autonomy” hidden in the Pennsylvania Constitution—something never written in our state’s founding document.
- Elections: Justices Dougherty and Wecht extended mail-in ballot deadlines in 2020. Justice Donohue joined rulings that loosened safeguards designed to protect election integrity.
- COVID Shutdowns: All three justices upheld Gov. Wolf’s sweeping 2020 shutdown orders, which closed small businesses and churches while giving wide latitude to executive power.
- Redistricting: These justices struck down and replaced congressional maps drawn by the Legislature, assuming authority given by the state and federal constitutions to elected lawmakers.
These rulings have real consequences for Pennsylvanians—for your family, your church, and your community. The retention vote this November is your opportunity to hold these justices accountable.
Recent News Underscores the Stakes
Just this month, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court issued another closely divided ruling in a case about mail ballots. In a 4–3 decision, the Court ruled that counties must notify voters if their mail ballot is going to be rejected due to errors, like a missing signature or incorrect date on the return envelope.
While the ruling may sound technical, its impact is broad: it once again shows how razor-thin margins on the Court can reshape election procedures and determine which votes count. In 2024, this very issue left thousands of Pennsylvanians unaware that their votes had gone uncounted.
It’s another reminder that the Court’s decisions are not abstract legal debates—they directly affect Pennsylvania elections, laws, and freedoms.
Why Municipal Elections Matter
It’s easy to overlook municipal elections in odd-numbered years, but the choices made in November will ripple through our state for years.
School boards determine what children are taught. City councils shape public safety and local budgets. County leaders oversee elections, courts, and vital services.
Your vote in this municipal election may be one of the most impactful votes you cast.
Why School Board Races Matter
One of the most significant local races you may see on your ballot is for school board. These elected leaders make decisions that directly affect your family and community: they set policies on which books and curriculum are used in classrooms, determine whether children are protected from sexually inappropriate content, and decide how schools handle issues like sex-segregated sports and protecting girls’ privacy in bathrooms and locker rooms. Beyond that, school boards control property taxes at the district level—impacting your household budget as well as the quality of education.
In Pennsylvania, school board candidates can legally “cross-file,” meaning they may appear on both the Democrat and Republican ballots. That’s why it is especially important to do careful research into each candidate’s positions and record—don’t just assume where they stand based on party affiliation.
How to Be Ready to Vote
Here are key dates and reminders:
- Election Day: Tuesday, November 4, 2025
- Voter Registration Deadline: Monday, October 20, 2025
- Mail-in Ballot Application Deadline: Tuesday, October 28, 2025
If you plan to vote by mail, make sure your ballot is filled out correctly to avoid any risk of rejection. Pay close attention to signatures and dates on the return envelope.
Get the PA Family Supreme Court Retention Voter Guide
To help you prepare, Pennsylvania Family Council has released the 2025 Pennsylvania Supreme Court Retention Voter Guide.
This guide lays out the record of Justices Donohue, Dougherty, and Wecht on the issues that matter most—life, family, religious liberty, election integrity, and government accountability. It also lists the political endorsements backing these justices, including Planned Parenthood Pennsylvania Advocates and the Pennsylvania State Education Association.
👉 Click here to download your retention voter guide today!
Don’t just keep it for yourself. Share it:
- With your friends and family
- With your church community
- On your social media
Too many voters skip judicial retention questions because they feel uninformed. By using and sharing this guide, you can help others make informed choices.
Your Voice Matters
As Psalm 11:3 reminds us: “If the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?” The foundations of law and justice in our Commonwealth are being shaped every day by the courts.
That’s why your vote matters—perhaps more this year than ever before.
So mark your calendar for November 4. Read and share the retention voter guide. And make sure your voice is heard in the Pennsylvania Election 2025.
Together, we can work for a Pennsylvania where God is honored, life is cherished, and families thrive.
👉 Download and share the Retention Voter Guide now »
👉Visit pafamilyvoter.com to be notified when our full voter guide is live »