Judges; candidacy for retention, eligibility, procedure; election; ballot form; application of election laws

20-3006. Judges; candidacy for retention, eligibility, procedure; election; ballot form; application of election laws. (a) Not less than 60 days prior to the holding of the general election next preceding the expiration of the term of any judge of the court of appeals, the judge may file in the office of the secretary of state a declaration of candidacy for retention in office. If a declaration is not filed as provided in this section, the position held by the judge shall be vacant upon the expiration of the judge's term of office. If such declaration is filed, the judge's name shall be submitted at the next general election to the electors of the state on a separate judicial ballot, without party designation, reading substantially as follows: "Shall (Here insert name of judge.), Judge of the Court of Appeals, be retained in office?" (b) If a majority of those voting on the question votes against retaining the judge in office, the position which the judge holds shall be vacant upon the expiration of the judge's term of office. Otherwise, unless the judge is removed for cause, the judge shall remain in office for a term of four years from the second Monday in January following the election. At the expiration of each term, unless by law the judge is compelled to retire, the judge shall be eligible for retention in office by election in the manner prescribed in this section. (c) If a majority of those voting on the question votes against the judge's retention, the secretary of state, following the final canvass of votes on the question, shall certify the results to the clerk of the supreme court. Any such judge who has not been retained in office pursuant to this section shall not be eligible for nomination or appointment to the office of judge of the court of appeals prior to the expiration of four years after the expiration of the judge's term of office. (d) Election laws applicable to the general election of other state officers shall apply to elections upon the question of retention of judges of the court of appeals pursuant to this section, to the extent that they are not in conflict with and are consistent with the provisions of this section. History: L. 1975, ch. 178, § 6; L. 1986, ch. 116, § 3; L. 2001, ch. 174, § 3; L. 2003, ch. 99, § 19; L. 2005, ch. 108, § 2; L. 2013, ch. 1, § 3; July 1. Revisor's Note: Section was amended by L. 2004, ch. 20, § 1, but the amendment was repealed by L. 2004, ch. 156, § 3. Law Review and Bar Journal References: "Kissing Babies, Shaking Hands, and Campaign Contributions: Is This the Proper Role for the Kansas Judiciary?" Stacie L. Sanders, 34 W.L.J. 573, 578 (1995). "The selection of judges in Kansas: A Comparison of Systems," Jeffrey D. Jackson, 69 J.K.B.A. No. 1, 32 (2000). "2001 Legislative Wrap Up," Paul T. Davis, 70 J.K.B.A. No. 7, 14 (2001). "The Merits of Merit Selection; A Kansas Judge's Response to Professor Ware's Article," Janice D. Russell, 17 Kan. J.L. & Pub. Pol'y, No. 3, 437 (2008). Previous | Next LEGISLATIVE COORDINATING COUNCIL General Policies 2026 Archived LCC Documents Archived LCC Meetings REVISOR OF STATUTES Archived Session Documents Archived School Finance Documents USEFUL LINKS Session Laws Kansas Administrative Regulations OTHER LEGISLATIVE SITES Kansas Legislature Administrative Services Division of Post Audit Research Department Contact Us PDF Help www.ksrevisor.gov 2026