In the event of a vacancy in the office of judge of the state court for any reason except the expiration of the term of office, the Governor shall appoint a qualified person who shall serve as provided in Article VI, Section VII, Paragraphs III and IV of the Constitution.
(Code 1981, §15-7-23, enacted by Ga. L. 1983, p. 1419, § 2; Ga. L. 1984, p. 22, § 15.)