https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vpg3lBSsOLcBETHLEHEM, Pa. — This election cycle three state Supreme Court seats are up for retention.
What does that mean for Pennsylvanians?
Typically, "they're pretty mundane affairs" according to political scientist Chris Borick, but as Political Pulse host Tom Shortell notes, "both parties and their allies are dumping enormous resources," into the races.
"Republicans have seen this as an opportunity to take three Democrats off the Supreme Court in Pennsylvania, sparing an election which could happen in two years," Borick said. "By the way, that would be a classic partisan election, and reshaping the nature of the court."
Shortell said that across the country there's an uptick in efforts to pick up judicial seats in swing states. He cited Elon Musk's financial backing in races in Wisconsin.
Borick said flipping a judicial seat in a swing state, "could be pivotal."
Compared to what a typical retention race would look like, this election cycle is "unprecedented," Borick said.
To get a better understanding of what makes these retention races so unusual compared to those past, press play on the YouTube module at the top of this article.