20-2916. Method of selection of judges in newly formed districts. (a) Whenever a new judicial district is established which includes only a part of a single previously established district or all or parts of two or more previously established districts which used the same method of selecting judges for the districts, the new district shall use the same method of selecting judges for the new district. If the method of selection of judges is nonpartisan, the nominating commission for the prior district or districts shall be abolished and a nominating commission for the new district shall be established.

(b) Whenever a new judicial district is established which includes all or parts of two or more previously established districts any of which used different methods of selecting its judges, the question of the method of selection of judges shall be submitted to the qualified electors in the new judicial district in accordance with K.S.A. 20-2901, and amendments thereto. The district nominating commission for any prior district or districts which used the nonpartisan method of selecting judges shall be abolished, and, if the new judicial district adopts the nonpartisan method of selection for judges, a nominating commission shall be established for the new district.

(c) Whenever the whole or any part of one or more judicial districts is transferred to and becomes a part of another judicial district and the judges in both the district or districts from which the territory was transferred and the district to which the territory is attached have used the same method of selection of judges, the district to which the territory is attached shall continue to use that method of selecting judges for the district. If the method of selecting judges is nonpartisan, the district nominating commission for the district prior to the attachment of territory shall be abolished and a new nominating commission shall be established for the district.

(d) Whenever the whole or any part of one or more judicial districts is transferred to and becomes a part of another judicial district and any district from which territory was transferred used a method of selecting its judges which is different from the method used in any other district from which territory was transferred or the district to which the territory is attached, the question of the method of selecting judges in the district shall be submitted to the qualified electors in the judicial district in accordance with K.S.A. 20-2901, and amendments thereto. If the method of selecting judges in the district to which the territory is attached was nonpartisan, the nominating commission of the district shall be abolished. If the electors of the district adopt the nonpartisan method of selection of judges, a nominating commission shall be established for the district.

(e) If the method of selection of judges in any judicial district from which territory is detached is nonpartisan, the district nominating commission at the time of the detachment of such territory shall be abolished and a new nominating commission established for the district.

History: L. 1982, ch. 130, § 11; February 25.