The Nebraska Judicial Branch announced upcoming deadlines for three judicial vacancies.

Those interested are invited to apply to join the bench for:

• District Court in the 3rd Judicial District – consisting of Lancaster County – in Lincoln.

• Gage County Court in the 1st Judicial District – consisting of Gage, Jefferson, Johnson, Nemaha, Pawnee, Richardson, Saline, and Thayer counties – in Beatrice; and

• Hamilton County Court and York County Court in the 5th Judicial District – consisting of Boone, Butler, Colfax, Hamilton, Merrick, Nance, Platte, Polk, Saunders, Seward, and York – in Aurora.

Those interested in applying for any of these positions can obtain a state Judicial Vacancy Application package at bit.ly/nebjudapp.

Completed applications may be submitted electronically or by hard copy. They must be submitted by 4 p.m. on their respective deadlines.

3rd Judicial District

The deadline to apply for the Lancaster County District Court opening is 4 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 7.

A public hearing is scheduled via WebEx at the Court of Appeals Courtroom at the State Capitol in Lincoln at 1 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 28.

The primary place of office is in Lincoln. The vacancy is due to the retirement of Judge John A. Colborn on Oct. 31.

Written testimony can be sent no later than Wednesday, Jan. 27, via email to kara.nielsen@nebraska.gov or via mail to Judicial Nominating Commission - Third District, District Court, Nebraska Supreme Court, PO Box 98910, Lincoln, NE 68509. Oral testimony can be offered in person.

1st Judicial District

The deadline to apply for the Gage County Court opening is 4 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 4.

A public hearing is scheduled via WebEx at the Gage County Courthouse, County Courtroom, Third Floor, 612 Grant St. in Beatrice at 10 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 25.

The primary place of office is in Beatrice. The vacancy is due to the retirement of Judge Steven B. Timm on Oct. 31.

Written testimony can be sent no later than Monday, Jan. 18, via email to dawn.mussmann@nebraska.gov or via mail to Judicial Nominating Commission for County Court 1st Judicial District, PO Box 98910, Lincoln, NE 68509. Oral testimony can be offered in person.

5th Judicial District

The deadline to apply for the Hamilton County Court and York County Court opening is 4 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 8.

A public hearing is scheduled via WebEx at the Seward County Courthouse, County Courtroom, 529 Seward St. in Seward at 10 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 29.

The primary place of office is in Aurora, but the judge will be required to sit in both Hamilton and York counties. The vacancy is due to the retirement of Judge Linda Caster Senff on Oct. 31.

Written testimony can be sent no later than 4 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 28, via email to jackie.hladik@nebraska.gov or via mail to Nebraska Supreme Court, Judicial Nominating Commission 5th Judicial District, PO Box 98910, Lincoln, NE 68509. Oral testimony can be offered in person.