Candidates for appeals court judge; nomination at general nonpartisan primary election; omission.

A general nonpartisan primary election shall be held in every appellate court district of this state on the Tuesday succeeding the first Monday in August preceding every general November election in which judges of the court of appeals are to be elected, at which time the qualified and registered electors may vote for nonpartisan candidates for the office of judge of the court of appeals: Provided, however, That if, upon expiration of the time for filing petitions for the primary election of said judge of the court of appeals in any appellate court district, it shall appear that there are not to exceed twice the number of candidates as there are persons to be elected, then the secretary of state shall certify to the county board or boards of election commissioners the names of such candidates for court of appeals judge whose nominating petitions, filing fee or affidavit of candidacy have been properly filed, and such candidates shall be the nominees for judge of the court of appeals and shall be so certified. As to such office there shall be no primary election and this office shall be omitted from the judicial primary ballot.