12-22-18. Court to proceed expeditiously--Designation of judge and relief from other duties. The court shall proceed as expeditiously as reasonably possible, and the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court may, upon the application of the judge of any circuit court, before which such a contest is pending, or upon the application of any party, make an order designating any judge of any circuit court of the state to hear such contest, and relieving such judge of his other official duties pending the final determination of the contest.
Source: SDC 1939, § 16.1915; SL 1974, ch 118, § 193.