Section 15-3-4. Election and term of office of Judges of Court of Appeals

   The Judges of the Court of Appeals shall be elected at the general state election to be held on Tuesday after the first Monday in November of the even-numbered years in the manner in which Justices of the Supreme Court are elected. The election of the Judges shall be as follows:

   (1) Successors to the Judges serving in judgeships which existed prior to 1999 shall be elected as follows:

      (A) Successors to any Judges whose terms expired at the end of 1998 shall be elected at the general election in 2004 and each sixth year thereafter;

      (B) Successors to any Judges whose terms expire at the end of 2000 shall be elected at the general election in 2000 and each sixth year thereafter;

      (C) Successors to any Judges whose terms expire at the end of 2002 shall be elected at the general election in 2002 and each sixth year thereafter; and

      (D) Successors to any Judges whose terms expire at the end of 2004 shall be elected at the general election in 2004 and each sixth year thereafter; and

   (2) Successors to the two Judges serving in the judgeships created in 1999 shall be elected at the 2000 general election and each sixth year thereafter.

The terms of the Judges shall begin on January 1 following their election and, except as provided above, shall continue for six years and until their successors are qualified. They shall be commissioned accordingly by the Governor.

Ga. L. 1916, p. 56, § 2; Code 1933, § 24-3502; Ga. L. 1960, p. 158, § 2; Ga. L. 1961, p. 140, § 2; Ga. L. 1985, p. 149, § 15; Ga. L. 1996, p. 405, § 2; Ga. L. 1999, p. 10, § 2.