2010 Pennsylvania Code
Title 42 - JUDICIARY AND JUDICIAL PROCEDURE
Chapter 31 - Selection and Retention of Judicial Officers
3153 - Retention elections after regular term.

     § 3153.  Retention elections after regular term.
        (a)  General rule.--A judge elected under section 3131
     (relating to selection of judicial officers for regular terms)
     or retained under this section may file a declaration of
     candidacy for retention election with the Secretary of the
     Commonwealth on or before the first Monday of January of the
     year preceding the year in which his term of office expires. If
     no declaration is filed, a vacancy shall exist upon the
     expiration of the term of office of such judge, to be filled by
     election under section 3131(c).
        (b)  Judicial ballot.--If a judge files a declaration, his
     name shall be submitted to the electors without party
     designation, as a separate judicial question or in a separate
     column or line on voting machines, at the municipal election
     immediately preceding the expiration of the term of office of
     the judge, to determine only the question whether he shall be
     retained in office.
        (c)  Results of election.--If a majority is against
     retention, a vacancy shall exist upon the expiration of his term
     of office, to be filled by appointment under section 3132(a)
     (relating to vacancies in office). If a majority favors
     retention, the judge shall serve for the regular term of office
     provided for in section 3152 (relating to tenure of judicial
     officers), unless sooner removed or retired. At the expiration
     of each term a judge shall be eligible for retention as provided
     in this section, subject only to the retirement provisions of
     this part.
     (Apr. 28, 1978, P.L.202, No.53, eff. 60 days)

        1978 Amendment.  Act 53 amended the section heading.
        Cross References.  Section 3153 is referred to in sections
     3131, 3132 of this title.