HARRISBURG (April 10, 2007) - During the 2007 spring and fall elections, voters will be casting ballots for two Pennsylvania Supreme Court justices, two Pennsylvania Superior Court judges, eight merit-retention appellate judges and 66 merit-retention state court judges.

Recognizing the need for easy access to information about judicial candidates, the Pennsylvania Bar Association has created PAVoteSmart, a voter education effort that includes a new Web site and public service announcements encouraging voters to be well-informed about the candidates.

"Judges make important decisions every day that affect our lives," said Kenneth J. Horoho Jr., president, Pennsylvania Bar Association. "Yet studies have shown that many of us will make voting decisions based on little information about the judicial candidates themselves. Before entering the voting booth, you need to know about a candidate's integrity, experience, legal scholarship, temperament and professionalism. PAVoteSmart is a new link to this critical information about the candidates."

Horoho said the Web site, http://www.pavotesmart.com, includes ratings of the Pennsylvania's Supreme Court and Superior Court candidates by the Pennsylvania Bar Association Judicial Evaluation Commission. The JEC is a nonpartisan, impartial panel that investigates and interviews each judicial candidate seeking a seat on the appellate courts. As a result of the JEC's work, each candidate receives a highly recommended, recommended or not recommended rating.

The Web site also includes links to county bar association's ratings of common pleas judicial candidates, information about the functions of the appellate courts and answers to frequently asked questions about the courts and their functions.

As part of the PAVoteSmart campaign, the Pennsylvania Bar Association has produced television and radio public service announcements stressing that "you need to know" about judicial candidates. The spots have been sent to television and radio stations throughout the state.

Founded in 1895, the Pennsylvania Bar Association strives to promote justice, professional excellence and respect for the law; improve public understanding of the legal system; facilitate access to legal services; and serve the 29,000 lawyers who are members of the association.