TOPEKA—The 31st Judicial District Nominating Commission is seeking nominations to fill two district magistrate judge vacancies.
One position is in Allen County and the other in Neosho County.
One position was created by Judge Tod Davis’ appointment as district judge. The other was among the positions certified by Supreme Court Administrative Order 2022-JA-020 after the Kansas Legislature passed and the governor signed 2022 House Substitute for Substitute for Senate Bill No. 267 to fund them.
The 31st Judicial District is composed of Allen, Neosho, Wilson, and Woodson counties.
Justice Evelyn Wilson, the Supreme Court departmental justice responsible for the 31st Judicial District, said nominees can apply or be nominated, but it must be on a nomination form and include the nominee's signature.
District magistrate judge appointment process
To be considered for district magistrate judge, a nominee must be:
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a resident of Allen or Neosho county at the time of taking office and while holding office;
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a graduate of a high school, a secondary school, or the equivalent; and
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either a lawyer admitted to practice in Kansas or able to pass an examination to become certified within 18 months.
The nominating commission selects whom to appoint to fill magistrate judge positions.
Kansas statute requires one resident judge per county. This mandate may affect residency requirements.
Nomination process
Nominations must be accompanied by a nomination form available from the clerk of the district court in Allen, Neosho, Wilson, or Woodson counties, the clerk of the appellate courts at the Kansas Judicial Center in Topeka, or online at www.kscourts.org/judges.html.
Nominations may be submitted by paper copy. The deadline to submit a nomination with supporting documents is noon Friday, March 17. No documents will be accepted digitally or by fax.
Submissions require one original and nine copies of the completed nomination form, a like number of supporting documents, and one executed release form, delivered to:
Justice Evelyn Wilson, chair
31st Judicial District Nominating Commission
301 SW 10th Ave.
Topeka, KS 66612-1507
Public interviews
The nominating commission will convene to interview nominees at 9 a.m. Thursday, April 6, at the Judicial Center second floor courtroom, in Chanute.
Interviews are open to the public.
Accommodation
Any person with a disability who requires accommodation to access the nominating commission meeting should notify the judicial branch ADA coordinator as early as possible, preferably 10 working days before the meeting date:
ADA Coordinator
ADA@kscourts.org
785-296-2256
TTY at 711
Term of office
After serving one year in office, a new judge must stand for a retention vote in the next general election to remain in the position. If retained, the incumbent will serve a four-year term.
Nominating commission
The 31st Judicial District Nominating Commission consists of Justice Evelyn Wilson as the nonvoting chair; Richard Pringle, Chanute; Nancy Burns and John Chenoweth, Fredonia; Douglas Depew, Neodesha; Craig Mentzer, Neosho Falls; Shelia Lampe, Piqua; Donald Greg Taylor, Stark.