25-1442. Contests involving state senators and members of house of representatives; district judge to hear contest; dismissals. In contests of election of state senators and members of the house of representatives of the state, notice of contest shall be filed and served as provided in K.S.A. 25-1437, 25-1438, 25-1439 and 25-1441, except that the clerk of the district court with whom the notice has been filed shall, within three days of receipt thereof, submit by restricted mail one copy thereof to the chief justice of the supreme court. Upon receipt of the notice of contest, the chief justice shall, within five days, submit to the parties a list of all the district judges in the judicial district or districts all or any part of which is located in the district of the legislative office being contested. If there be more than one name on the list the contestant and contestee shall within two days after receiving the list of judges meet together at a time and place designated by the chief justice and, under the supervision of the clerk of the supreme court, by alternating strikes commencing with the contestee remove the names of all judges until but one remains who shall then proceed to hear the contest pursuant to this act. The judge shall, within twenty (20) days after notice has been filed, convene a hearing at an appropriate place within the county, or, if the legislative district includes all or portions of more than one county then within one such county, and hear testimony of the parties, under the rules of evidence for civil actions. If the contestant does not proceed within the time provided for herein the action shall be dismissed and the judge shall transmit a copy of the order of dismissal to the chief clerk of the house of representatives or the secretary of the senate, as appropriate.

History: L. 1978, ch. 138, § 9; July 1.