Gavel Grab

Pennsylvanians for Modern Courts–a Justice at Stake partner–and several other groups sponsored a debate today between two candidates running for the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, Democrat Jack Panella and Republican Joan Orie Melvin. Another sponsor was the League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania.

“Although PMC supports changing the way we select appellate court judges, as long as Pennsylvania continues to elect judges, we will work to provide opportunities for the public to learn about the candidates,” explained PMC Executive Director Lynn A. Marks, who moderated the event.

LWVPA President Olivia Thorne said judicial elections in Pennsylvania have not drawn as much media coverage or citizen participation as elections for governor or legislative office.   “Voters have expressed the need for more information to help them make informed choices at the polls and this debate will fulfill that need,” she said in advance.

You can learn more about the event, and when to watch a video of it on cable TV, by clicking on this Justice at Stake press release or by reading this blog post from Choose Judges on Merit, sponsored by PMC.