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GOP eyes shakeup of Pennsylvania’s Democratic-majority court

Final approval of the constitutional change could land in front of voters on the May 2021 primary ballot.

  • The Associated Press
FILE PHOTO: People walk by the Pennsylvania Judicial Center Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2015, at the state Capitol in Harrisburg,.

 Matt Rourke / AP Photo

FILE PHOTO: People walk by the Pennsylvania Judicial Center Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2015, at the state Capitol in Harrisburg,.

(Harrisburg) — Legislation to amend Pennsylvania’s constitution that could cut short the current Democratic majority on the state Supreme Court is advancing through the Republican-controlled Legislature.

Final approval of the constitutional change could land in front of voters on the May 2021 primary ballot.

It’s a tight timeline, but possible with concerted action.

The crux of the Republican-penned constitutional amendment is this: Instead of Supreme Court justices and appellate court judges running for 10-year terms in statewide elections, they would run for the seats in judicial districts where they live.

Democrats call it a scheme to gerrymander the courts.

Supporters say it would create more geographic and ideological diversity on the bench.

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