In the event any official of this state shall fail or neglect to prepare or have published the argument and other matter as provided by law, or to perform any other duty required in connection therewith, any elector may petition the district court, without cost to him, where any such officer has his official residence, for a writ of mandamus to require such officer to perform such duty, and the district courts of this state are hereby given jurisdiction to issue writs of mandamus and require performance of such duty as provided by law.
Laws 1916, c. 32, p. 89, § 3; Laws 1917, c. 173, p. 307, § 2.