This bill amends K.S.A. 20-2908 to change the process for the retention of district court judges in Kansas. It establishes that judges will no longer face election or reelection at general elections, but instead will be eligible for retention in office at the end of their term. A judge must file a declaration of candidacy for retention by a specified deadline, and their name will appear on a separate nonpartisan ballot. The bill modifies the threshold for not retaining a judge from a majority of votes to 40% of those voting against retention.

Additionally, the bill includes provisions that if 40% of voters oppose a judge's retention, the judge's position will be vacated at the end of their term, and they will not be eligible for reappointment for four years. The bill also repeals the existing section of K.S.A. 20-2908, streamlining the process and ensuring that election laws applicable to other state officers are consistent with the new provisions for judicial retention.

Statutes affected:
As introduced: 20-2908