When a notice of contest is filed in the district court of Shawnee county in the case of an office voted for statewide or in the case of a question submitted upon a statewide basis, the case shall be heard and determined by three district judges of the state assigned by the supreme court. If there be a division of opinion of such district judges that of the majority shall prevail. The clerk of the district court shall notify the supreme court when any such notice is filed. When the supreme court receives such notice, it shall assign as soon as practicable such judges and specify one such judge as the chief judge. The supreme court shall also specify the day and hour of convening of such three district judge panel.