Let’s face it. We are all busy. But we’ve all got some voting homework to do. The Justice Reform Committee of M.O.R.E thanks all of our members who took the time to answer the straw poll to inform our discussion of progressive candidates. Based on the poll and subsequent committee discussion, we offer the following guidance:
Ballot Question 3: YES
Pennsylvania Question 3, the Equal Rights Regardless of Race or Ethnicity Amendment
A “yes” vote supports adding language to the state constitution that prohibits the denial or abridgment of rights on account of an individual’s race or ethnicity.
Ballot Question 5: YES
The Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, Prohibit Solitary Confinement Initiative
A “yes” vote supports amending the Allegheny county code, concerning standards governing confinement in the Allegheny County Jail to prohibit solitary confinement except in cases of lockdowns, medical or safety emergencies, and protective separation requests.
For Allegheny County Magisterial District Court: Hilary Wheatley Taylor
The JRC of M.O.R.E has endorsed only one candidate on the entire ballot because this race directly affects our home turf: Mt. Lebanon. Hilary is our top pick to best ensure equity under the law. The League of Women Voters hosted a non-partisan candidate forum for this office on April 12. You can watch that video here.
For Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court: Amanda Green Hawkins
Poll participants also liked: David Spurgeon
For Pennsylvania Supreme Court: Maria McLaughlin
For Pennsylvania Superior Court: Timika Lane
Honorable Mention: Jill Beck
For Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas:
Voters get the chance to select 9 of 39 candidates. This is an enormous opportunity to impact the bench for decades.
Poll participants really love:
Honorable mentions go to:
The following judge candidates are also worthy of consideration:
Resources To Help You Decide:
The League of Women Voters Greater Pittsburgh asked candidates to answer the same two questions and submit a 3-minute self-recorded video to create the Allegheny County Common Pleas Video Gallery where 33 of the 39 candidates responded.
You may also like the webinar discussion “How to Evaluate Judicial Candidates” from the League of Women Voters Greater Pittsburgh. Hosted by Cris Beuger with contributors Caroline Mitchell and Heidi Heidelbaugh, their conversation is 80 minutes long.
This information is a result of a Straw Poll for Pennsylvania’s 2021 Primary Election Ballot that members of M.O.R.E were invited to participate in. This document is not an endorsement and is simply the reflection of some community member’s opinions on candidates. View this information as a printable PDF. Please see our Political Guidance page for more information on official endorsements by M.O.R.E and other local racial justice organizations.
