With local spring primaries just around the corner, several members of Centre County's judiciary are preparing for re-election bids this fall.

President Judge Charles Brown Jr., who is seeking his second ten-year term as a common pleas judge, said he filed his announcement papers in Harrisburg last December.

As a common pleas judge, Brown must only file in Harrisburg for his name to appear on the November ballot.

"My name will be on the ballot, but not in the traditional sense," Brown said, adding that a "yes or no type question" will appear on the ballot regarding his re-election.

Brown, 51, said he had a choice between using a judicial retention referendum or a traditional election procedure.

"Retention election is a way we take the judicial element out of politics," Brown said.

Brown said his title as President Judge is simply a matter of seniority.

"Our authority and jurisdiction is precisely the same," Brown said of Common Pleas Judge David Grine.

Grine, who will be 44 next month, is serving his first term as a common pleas judge. He took office in 1982, and will not be up for re-election until 1991.

Brown said he expects no problems in his re-election bid. "I'm hoping there is no organized opposition, but you never know," Brown said. "I've made a decision to run and I'm prepared."

On the local level, two of four district justices are up for re-election this year.

District Justice Ronald Horner, a Democrat from Centre Hall, is seeking his first full six-year term.

Horner said he was nominated by Gov. Casey in June 1987 after Keith Bierly left the post to become a county commissioner.

"I have to run for election like any other official," Horner said.

Horner said that as a district justice, he is able to cross-file his name on the Democrat and Republican ballots after he submits his petition to run for office.

Horner, who had worked for University Police Services since 1967, received an associate degree in liberal arts from Penn State in 1976. He also earned a bachelor's degree in administration of justice from the University in 1980.

District Justice Clifford Yorks, a State College Republican, is seeking his fourth term. Yorks, who first took office in 1972, is three credits shy of completing his B.S. in administration of justice from the University.

Petitions may be circulated starting Feb. 14, and must be submitted with a $100 fee to the courthouse in Bellefonte by March 7, a courthouse spokeswoman said.

District justices, who serve six-year terms, need 100 signatures from registered members from both parties in order to cross-file.

The four district justices are apportioned, based on population, throughout Centre County, said District Justice Robert Shoff. Shoff -- who represents Philipsburg -- and Robert May of Bellefonte will not be up for re-election until 1994.