TOPEKA—The 31st Judicial District Nominating Commission is seeking nominations to fill a district magistrate judge vacancy in Woodson County created by the October 30 retirement of Judge Leo Gensweider.
The 31st Judicial District is composed of Allen, Neosho, Wilson, and Woodson counties.
Justice Caleb Stegall, the Supreme Court's interim 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.
Kansas law requires that a district magistrate judge be:
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a resident of Woodson 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 given by the Supreme Court to become certified within 18 months.
Nominations must be accompanied by a nomination form available from the clerk of the district court in Allen, Neosho, Wilson, and Woodson counties; the clerk of the appellate courts at the Kansas Judicial Center; or the Kansas judicial branch website.
One original and eight copies of the completed nomination form and supporting letters must be submitted by noon Thursday, October 24, to:
Justice Caleb Stegall
Kansas Judicial Center
301 SW 10th Ave.
Topeka, KS 66612-1507
The nominating commission will convene to interview nominees Tuesday, November 19, in the Woodson County Courthouse, 105 W Rutledge, Yates Center. Interviews are open to the public. The commission will then appoint a district magistrate judge.
After serving one year in office, the new magistrate 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 31st Judicial District Nominating Commission consists of Stegall as the nonvoting chair; Timothy Brazil and Richard Pringle, Chanute; James Immel and Ryan Sparks, Iola; Rochelle Chronister and Douglas Depew, Neodesha; James Keath, Stark; and Nick Hay, Yates Center.