Voter's Guide

The League of Women Voters gathered information from candidates in state, county and school board races and in municipal races in Centre Region municipalities and Bellefonte.

The information that follows, on contested races in other Centre County municipalities, was gathered by the Centre Daily Times. The newspaper did not attempt to contact candidates in uncontested races but is listing them here:

Salary: None

Four-year term

(vote for not more than four)

Term: Four years

Salary: None

Term: 4 years

Salary: None

(vote for not more than four)

Term: Four years

Salary: None

(vote for not more than four)

Term: Four years

Salary: None

Polls open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Nov. 3

FOR ELECTION INFORMATION

Visit the Pennsylvania Department of State voting information Web site, www.votespa.com. From this site voters can verify their registration status, find out where to vote, see a demonstration on how to vote on the system being used at their polling place, contact information for county election and voter registration officials, obtain applications for absentee ballots, emergency absentee ballots and information and forms for voting absentee in the event of emergencies that occur after 5 p.m. Friday and find helpful information for voters with disabilities.

You may also contact your county Board of Elections. The League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania Citizen Information Center also provides election information. Call toll free, 800-692-7281 or visit www.palwv.org.

Term: Six years

Salary: $3,250

(vote for not more than one)

Term: Six years

Salary: $1,875

(vote for not more than two)

Term: Two, four and six years

Salary: $1,875

Term: Six years

Salary: Based on activity

(vote for not more than one)

Term: Four years

Salary: $3,250

(vote for not more than two)

Term: Four years

Salary: $2,500

(vote for not more than two)

Term: 4 years

Salary: $13,000

(vote for one)

Term: Four years

Salary: None

(vote for not more than three)

Term: Four years

Salary: $2/parcel

(vote for not more than one)

Term: Four years

Salary: $1,500

(vote for not more than one)

Term: Four years

Salary: $1,500

Term: Six years

Salary: $80,927

(vote for not more than one in each district)

Term: Four years

Salary: $13,443

(vote for not more than one)

Judicial retention is a system of retaining judges for additional terms after they have been elected on a partisan, contested ballot. Previously elected incumbent candidates for justice or judge appear unopposed on the ballot. The only question confronting the voter is whether or not the judge should be retained.

All judicial retention candidates were asked to list their education, occupation and qualifications for this office as well as the same question on the Judicial Conduct Board.

Job description

The Commonwealth Court is one of Pennsylvania’s two statewide intermediate appellate courts. Its jurisdiction generally is limited to legal matters involving state and local government and regulatory agencies. Litigation typically focuses on such subjects as banking, insurance and utility regulation and laws affecting taxation, land use, elections, labor practices and workers’ compensation. Commonwealth Court also acts as a court of original jurisdiction, or a trial court, when lawsuits are filed by or against the commonwealth. The court has nine judges, with the president judge chosen by its members. The court generally decides cases in three-judge panels and sits in Philadelphia, Harrisburg and Pittsburgh.

Term: 10 years

Salary: $175,923

(vote for not more than two)

Job description

The Pennsylvania Superior Court is one of two intermediate appellate courts. It hears all criminal and civil appeals from the Courts of Common Pleas except for death penalty cases and those that are specifically assigned to the Commonwealth Court. The Court has 15 judges, with the president judge elected by the members. Judges of the Superior Court must be lawyers and must reside in Pennsylvania for at least a year before their election and for as long as they continue in office.

Term: 10 years

Salary: $175,923

(vote for not more than four)

Job description

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court is the highest judicial authority in the commonwealth. In addition to being the final court of appeals, it serves as administrator of the unified court system and is responsible for ensuring that all Pennsylvania courts perform their duties properly. The court hears decisions of the Superior and Commonwealth courts and in certain cases, including those involving the death penalty, from the Courts of Common Pleas. It may also assume jurisdiction over any case pending before a lower court that involves an issue of immediate public importance. There are seven Supreme Court justices, the chief justice being the one having the longest continuous service on the court.

Term: 10 years

Salary: $186,450

(vote for one)

Job description: The district attorney is the highest-ranking law enforcement officer in the county, responsible for prosecution all criminal actions brought in Centre County Court.

Term: 4 years

Salary: $160,850 (2009)

(vote for one)