(a) In each district of the court of appeals an election panel, as prescribed by section 115.024, RSMo Supp. 2007, is hereby created.  The panel in each district shall be composed of the chief judge and the two active judges of the district who have served the longest continuous time as a judge on the court and are available to consider the petition immediately. 

(b) The right to appeal provided to the election commission under section 115.024 may be had by filing a petition for writ of mandamus in this Court.  The petition shall be expedited.