Pennsylvania Supreme Court prepares for upcoming contentious mid-term elections, by quickening pace for court review of election disputes.

Pennsylvania Supreme Court Shortens Election-Case Appellate Deadlines to Three Days

Effective September 11, 2026, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court amended Rules 107, 903, 1113, and 1122 of the Pennsylvania Rules of Appellate Procedure (Pa.R.A.P.) to accelerate appellate deadlines in matters arising under the Pennsylvania Election Code. The key changes are:

• Appeals from lower courts: New subsection (c)(4) of Pa.R.A.P. 903 reduces the time to appeal an order in an Election Code matter from ten days to three days after entry of the order.
• Petitions for allowance of appeal: Pa.R.A.P. 1113(c)(1) now requires a petition for allowance of appeal in an Election Code matter to be filed with the Pennsylvania Supreme Court within three days after entry of the order sought to be reviewed.
• Other appellate deadlines: The amended comments to Rules 903 and 1122 recognize that the “timing and substance” of other procedural requirements in Election Code appeals, such as certification of the record and briefing schedules, may be governed by appellate case-management orders or rules.
• No weekend or holiday extension: New subsection (b) of Pa.R.A.P. 107 provides that Pennsylvania Rule of Judicial Administration 107(b), which ordinarily prevents a filing period from expiring on a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday, does not apply to the three-day period for Election Code appeals and petitions for allowance of appeal.

Given these abbreviated filing periods – including the absence of the usual weekend or holiday extension – parties involved in litigation arising under Pennsylvania’s Election Code are wise to evaluate potential appellate rights immediately upon entry of an adverse order.