The Arthur J. Glatfelter Institute for Public Policy Releases Judicial Retention Poll Results

[York, PA – October 27, 2021] The Arthur J. Glatfelter Institute for Public Policy at York College of Pennsylvania conducted a poll of members of the York County Bar Association regarding their perspective on whether Judge Andrea Marceca Strong, a judge on the York County Court of Common Pleas, should be retained. Click this link for the full details and results.

The final results are based on a completion rate of 37%, or 37% of members of the York County Bar Association completed the poll. Results were tabulated and released on October 27, 2021.

Based on the results of this Poll, a majority of the respondents voted in favor of RETENTION.

For questions contact:

Vincent Cannizzaro, MPP, vcannizzaro@ycp.edu
Director, The Arthur J. Glatfelter Institute for Public Policy
Director, Master of Public Policy and Administration Program
York College of Pennsylvania, York, PA 17403
Office: (717) 815-1418

YORK COUNTY BAR ASSOCIATION
JUDICIAL CANDIDATES FORUM

The York County Bar Association Judicial Candidates Forum was held on April 27, 2021. Three candidates - Joe Gothie, Esq., Suzanne Smith, Esq., and Steve Stambaugh, Esq.- running for the position of judge for the York County Court of Common Pleas were provided with an equal opportunity to address the public by answering questions developed by a panel of community leaders and attorneys.

See the video here.

Sponsored by the YCBA in partnership with CBS 21, York College of PA Center For Community Engagement The Arthur J. Glatfelter Institute for Public Policy, The York Daily Record/York Sunday News and brought to you by WRCTV, the Forum was moderated by Dr. G. Terry Madonna, Senior Fellow in Residence, Millersville University, panelists include Scott Fisher, Editorial Page Editor and Community Engagement Editor, York Daily Record/Sunday News; Mike Gorsegner, Reporter, CBS 21 News; Dionna Wright, Director of Community Conversations, Center for Community Engagement, The Arthur J. Glatfelter Institute for Public Policy, York College of Pennsylvania.

Judges elected to the York County Court of Common Pleas hear major civil and criminal cases, in addition to deciding cases that involve adoption, divorce, child custody, abuse, juvenile delinquency and dependency, termination of parental rights, estates, guardianships, charitable organizations and many other matters. On November 2, 2021 two Judges will be elected to the Common Pleas court to serve a 10-year term.

THE ARTHUR J. GLATFELTER INSTITUTE FOR PUBLIC POLICY RELEASES
YORK COUNTY BAR ASSOCIATION JUDICIAL CANDIDATE POLL RESULTS

[York, PA – May 7, 2021] The Arthur J. Glatfelter Institute for Public Policy at the York College of Pennsylvania conducted a poll of members of the York County Bar Association regarding the three candidates running for the two judicial vacancies on the Court of Common Pleas in York County. The 470 members of the York County Bar Association were given an opportunity to evaluate all candidates, with the evaluation of prospective candidates focused primarily on professional competence, judicial temperament, and integrity. 

The judicial evaluation poll is a long-standing community service activity of the York County Bar Association. The poll was undertaken as a public service and not for the purpose of endorsing any specific candidate or any political party.  It is not a popularity poll. The results are offered as a resource to the public in determining which candidates are most qualified serve as judges on the York County Court of Common Pleas.

In past polls, members of the York County Bar Association were asked to provide a single rating based on three categories for each of the candidates.

This year, the 2021 Judicial Candidate Poll asked members of the York County Bar Association to rate each candidate on specific qualities.  Members rated each candidates as “Highly Qualified,” “Qualified,” “Not Presently Qualified,” or “No Opinion.”

A rating of “Highly Qualified” equates to 5 points. A ranking of “Qualified” equates to 3 points. A ranking of “Not Presently Qualified” equates to 1 point. A ranking of “No Opinion” equates to 0 points.

For a candidate to be rated as “Highly Qualified”, they must receive a minimum of 86 points. For a candidate to rated “Qualified”, they must receive between 60-85 points.  For a candidate to be rated as “Not Presently Qualified”, they must receive less than 60 points. The final ratings consist of the average of the total points received divided by the number of respondents.

The York County Bar Association and its members serve in the unique role of judicial officers in our community. For anyone who participates in any proceedings in the local legal system, whether as a party or a witness, and whether the case involves a civil, domestic, or criminal matter, nothing matters more than the opportunity to be heard before a fair, impartial, and qualified judge. The reputation our court system and its judges enjoy in the impartial administration of justice and application of the law contributes to the overall stability and security of the public and provides certainty, stability, and clarity to our personal and commercial relationships. 

263 members participated in the poll. This equates to a 56% response rate. The results were tabulated and released on May 7, 2021. The results of the survey are as follows:

Click chart to view larger image

The following tables provide detailed results of the specific qualities assessed by members of the York County Bar Association.