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Pennsylvania 2016 ballot measures
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Two ballot measures were certified for the 2016 ballot in the state of Pennsylvania, with one on the April 26 primary election ballot, where it was approved, and the second on the November 8 general election ballot, where it was approved.
Both measures were certified for the ballot as legislatively referred constitutional amendments that addressed the topic of state judiciary. The first measure, Joint Resolution 2015-2, was designed to abolish the traffic court in the City of Philadelphia. It was approved on April 26, 2016. The second measure, the Judicial Retirement Age Amendment, was designed to change the mandatory retirement age from 70 to 75 for Supreme Court justices, judges, and justices of the peace. The Judicial Retirement Amendment was originally set to appear on the April primary ballot; however, it was moved to the November general election ballot.[1] It was approved.
State law does not allow for initiatives or referendums; therefore, all measures are referred to the ballot by the Pennsylvania State Legislature. The state's 2016 legislative session lasted from January 5 through November 30, 2016. A simple majority vote in both chambers of the Pennsylvania Legislature during two successive legislative sessions is required to refer amendments to the ballot. Referred amendments must be approved by both chambers at least three months prior to the general election, making August 8, 2016, the deadline for placing measures on the ballot.
Article XI of the Pennsylvania Constitution dictates that an amendment can go on the ballot after just one session, but only if the legislature declares an emergency. In the absence of an emergency, the amendment must be considered in two separate legislative sessions.
Historical facts
- See also: List of Pennsylvania ballot measures
A total of 12 measures have appeared on statewide ballots from 1998 to 2016.
- Between 1998 and 2016, an average of one measure appeared on the ballot during even- and odd-numbered election year ballots in Pennsylvania.
- The number of measures appearing on statewide ballots between 1998 and 2016 has ranged from one to two.
- From 1998 to 2016, 100 percent (12 of 12) of statewide ballots were approved by voters, and none were defeated.
On the ballot
April 26:
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LRCA | Amendment 2 | State judiciary | Abolish the Traffic Court in the City of Philadelphia | 
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November 8:
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LRCA | Retirement Age | State judiciary | Raises the state judicial retirement age from 70 to 75 years of age | |
See also
External links
Footnotes
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