The League of Women Voters has long recognized that the quality of voters’ civic education is fundamental to the success of American democracy. For many of us, that civic education first took root in classrooms where we learned the underlying principles of good government as well as our rights and responsibilities as citizens. Yet, in recent years, Americans’ civic knowledge seems to be in decline, and some recent surveys point specifically to a concerningly low level of civic literacy among young people.

Three state Supreme Court justices Christine Donohue, Kevin Dougherty and David Wecht offered a glimpse behind their chambers doors Monday, September 8, 2025 as they seek voters’ approval in November to serve second terms. Judges in Pennsylvania are elected to 10-year terms in partisan elections. Once in office, however, they stand for retention in “yes” or “no” referenda to serve subsequent terms.

The event, Behind the Ballot Fireside Chat: PA Supreme Court Retention Elections was co-sponsored by the court access group Pennsylvanians for Modern Courts, the government watchdog Committee of Seventy and the Pennsylvania League of Women Voters.

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