Pennsylvania voters on Tuesday opted to retain three Democrat justices on the state Supreme Court, preserving a 5-2 liberal majority that pro-life advocates warn will expand abortion access to any reason throughout all nine months of pregnancy.
With more than 54% of the vote tallied, 62.3% voted yes to retain Justice Christine Donohue, 62.5% for Justice Kevin Dougherty and 62.4% for Justice David Wecht.
The outcome ensures Democrats maintain control of the court, which pro-life groups had urged voters to reject as a direct threat to unborn children.
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The Pennsylvania Pro-Life Federation, in a pre-election alert, called on voters to cast “No” ballots against the trio, arguing their retention would dismantle key protections including parental consent, informed consent, 24-hour waiting periods and bans on abortions after 24 weeks.
“The justices are criticized for their public support of abortion, which could lead to ‘abortion for any reason during all nine months of pregnancy,’” the federation stated, warning Pennsylvania could become “another New York” with minimal restrictions.
Maria Gallagher, executive director of the Pennsylvania Pro-Life Federation, highlighted the stakes in the group’s call to action, noting the justices’ potential to overturn existing safeguards in a pending case that could declare a right to abortion under the state constitution. Abortion advocates, she added, hope the court will eliminate all limits and consent requirements, paving the way for unrestricted late-term abortions.
The court’s Democratic majority has already signaled its stance on abortion. Last year, it revived a 2019 lawsuit challenging the state’s Abortion Control Act, which prohibits public funding for most abortions. In the decision, the majority ruled that banning public funds for most abortions “discriminates against those women who choose to exercise their fundamental right to terminate a pregnancy” and asserted the state constitution’s guarantee of equal protection “includes a right to decide whether to have an abortion or to carry a pregnancy to term.”
All three justices received endorsements from Planned Parenthood PA PAC.
In Pennsylvania, Supreme Court justices serve 10-year terms and face yes-or-no retention votes upon expiration. Donohue, who reaches the mandatory retirement age of 75 in 2027, along with Dougherty and Wecht — both 63 — will not face voters again until 2035.
