Section 168.404 - Office of supreme court justice; vacancy; appointment; election(1) The governor shall appoint a successor to fill the vacancy in the office of justice of the supreme court. The person appointed by the governor shall be considered an incumbent for purposes of this act and shall hold office until 12 noon of January 1 following the next general election, at which a successor is elected and qualified.(2) At the next general November election held at least 105 days after the vacancy occurs, a person nominated under section 392 shall be elected to fill that office. The person elected shall hold the office for the remainder of the unexpired term.(3) A candidate receiving the highest number of votes for that office who has subscribed to the oath as provided in section 1 of article XI of the state constitution is considered to be elected and qualified even though a vacancy occurs before the time he or she has entered upon the duties of his or her office.1954, Act 116, Eff. 6/1/1955 ;--Am. 1955, Act 271, Imd. Eff. 6/30/1955 ;--Am. 1963, 2nd Ex. Sess., Act 61, Imd. Eff. 12/27/1963 ;--Am. 1970, Act 10, Imd. Eff. 3/31/1970 ;--Am. 1999, Act 218, Eff. 3/10/2000 .