Governor Kelly Reappoints Judge Allie Burris
The Kansas governor selects Judge Allie Burris for another term serving the 28th Judicial District.
Updated on Oct. 30, 2026 in Criminal Justice
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Kansas Governor Laura Kelly has announced the reappointment of Allie Burris to the 28th Judicial District. Burris, a Salina resident, originally assumed the role in September 2025.
Why it matters
The appointment process for the 28th Judicial District relies on nominees chosen by a district nominating commission to fill local bench vacancies. This decision maintains current judicial leadership within the district court system.
District court judges in the 28th Judicial District undergo retention elections every 4 years to remain in their positions. This reappointment secures the current judicial status for Burris following the initial appointment in 2025.
The players
Laura Kelly
Laura Kelly is the Governor of Kansas who holds the constitutional authority to appoint judges from commission-selected nominee lists.
Allie Burris
Allie Burris is a judge in the 28th Judicial District who previously practiced law at the firm Blackwell & Struble.
The details
Prior to her service on the bench, Burris worked as an attorney at the firm Blackwell & Struble and provided defense counsel in drug court. She also contributed to local community organizations, including the Salina Child Care Association and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Salina.
Timeline
September 2025: Allie Burris was first appointed to the judgeship.
October 30, 2026: Governor Laura Kelly reappointed Allie Burris.
Legal Context
This appointment follows the Kansas merit selection system, which governs how district court judges are vetted and selected across the state. The process stands in contrast to partisan election models used in many other states to fill judicial vacancies.
Residents of the 28th Judicial District will see continued judicial continuity in their local courts as a result of this action. Voters in the district will eventually participate in the retention election process to confirm the judge's continued service.
The takeaway
Judicial retention cycles ensure that local judges remain accountable to their constituents through periodic ballot measures. Citizens can prepare for upcoming election cycles by monitoring the official retention status of their district court judges.
Further reading
For more information on state judicial appointments, visit Kansas Criminal Justice.
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