Pennsylvania Supreme Court race in a dead heat
October 29, 2009
HARRISBURG, Pennsylvania: A poll released on October 27 suggests that support for Pennsylvania Supreme Court candidates Joan Orie Melvin and Jack Panella is about even, heading into the November 3 vote.[1]
A poll of 529 registered voters conducted from October 20-25 by Franklin & Marshall College for the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review and WTAE-TV had Orie Melvin at 22%, Panella at 20% and undecideds at 54%. The same poll found that 60% of those surveyed believe the state is heading in the wrong direction.[1]
There will be four Republicans on the 7-seat Pennsylvania Supreme Court if Orie Melvin wins, and four Democrats if Panella wins. This has led to partisan pitches on behalf of the candidates. Lt. Gov. Joe Scarnati wrote to Republicans on behalf of Orie Melvin, saying, "Control of the Supreme Court is on the ballot this year, and you know the courts play a key role in finalizing redistricting maps that will set the political landscape for the next decade."[2] Abe Amoros, spokesman for the Democratic State Committee, said, "The last time, it was the Republicans who controlled the state Supreme Court. This year, we are looking at a 4-3 majority when Jack Panella wins, which will give us some hope at redistricting."[2]
The Pennsylvania Constitution gives each party two seats at the negotiating table when district boundaries are redrawn after the 2010 census. The state's highest court is expected to appoint a tie-breaker, which is why the court's partisan balance is of interest to both parties.[2]
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