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TOPEKA—The 21st Judicial District Nominating Commission is seeking nominations to fill a district judge vacancy in Riley County created by the June 16 retirement of Chief Judge Meryl Wilson.

The 21st Judicial District is composed of Clay and Riley counties.

Justice Marla Luckert, the Supreme Court departmental justice responsible for the 21st Judicial District, said individuals can apply or be nominated, but nominations must come on a nomination form and include the nominee's signature.

A nominee for district judge must be:

  • at least 30 years old;

  • a lawyer admitted to practice in Kansas and engaged in the practice of law for at least five years, whether as a lawyer, judge, or full-time teacher at an accredited law school; and

  • a resident of judicial district at the time of taking office and while holding office.

Nominations must be accompanied by a nomination form available from the clerks of the district courts in Riley and Clay counties, the clerk of the appellate courts at the Kansas Judicial Center, or the Kansas judicial branch website.

One original and nine copies of the completed nomination form and supporting letters must be submitted by noon Friday, June 28, to:

William Bahr, commission secretary
801 Poyntz Ave.
Manhattan KS 66502

The nominating commission will convene to interview nominees at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday, July 24, in the Riley County Courthouse, 100 Courthouse Plaza, Manhattan. Interviews are open to the public.

The commission will select from three to five nominees whose names will be submitted to the governor to fill the position according to statutory qualification and residency requirements. If there are not three nominees who reside in the district who are deemed qualified by the commission, the commission may consider nominees who reside outside the judicial district. The governor has 60 days after receiving the names to decide whom to appoint.

After serving one year in office, the 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.

The 21st Judicial District Nominating Commission consists of Luckert as the nonvoting chair; Kyle Bauer and Steven McMahan, Clay Center; Steven Hargrave, Randolph; and Bahr, Johanna Lyle, James Morrison, Derrick Roberson, and Kitra Schartz, Manhattan.

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