TOPEKA—The 9th Judicial District Nominating Commission is seeking nominations to fill a district magistrate judge vacancy in McPherson County created by Judge Steve Hilgers' January 8 retirement.
The 9th Judicial District is composed of Harvey and McPherson counties.
Justice Evelyn Wilson, the Supreme Court departmental justice responsible for the 9th Judicial District, said nominees can apply or be nominated, but it must be on a nomination form and include the nominee's signature.
Eligibility requirements
Kansas law requires that this district magistrate judge be:
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a resident of McPherson 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.
Nomination process
Nominations must be accompanied by a nomination form available from the clerk of the district court in Harvey or McPherson counties, the clerk of the appellate courts in the Kansas Judicial Center in Topeka, or online at www.kscourts.org/Judges/Become-a-Judge.
One original and 11 copies of the completed nomination form and supporting letters must be submitted in paper format by noon Friday, December 11, to:
Justice Evelyn Wilson
Kansas Judicial Center
301 SW 10th Ave.
Topeka, KS 66612-1507
Interviews and appointment
The nominating commission will convene by videoconference at 2 p.m. Wednesday, December 30, to review the applications. The meeting will be livestreamed on the Kansas judicial branch YouTube channel.
The nominating commission will convene to interview nominees at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, January 12, and reconvene on Wednesday, January 13. The location will be announced. Interviews are open to the public. The commission will then appoint a district magistrate judge.
Term of office
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.
Nominating commission
The 9th Judicial District Nominating Commission consists of Wilson as the nonvoting chair; Amie Bauer, Lindsborg; Michael Androes, Ann Elliott, and Harris Terry, McPherson; and Thomas Adrian, Jana McKinney, John Robb, and George "Chip" Westfall, Newton.