(1) If a vacancy occurs in the membership of the board of county canvassers, the county clerk shall immediately give notice of the vacancy to the chairperson of the county committee of the political party entitled to fill the vacancy.

    (2) The county committee of the political party entitled to fill a vacancy on the board of county canvassers, within 10 days after receiving information concerning the vacancy, shall nominate 3 interested persons for the position and submit the list of nominees to the county clerk.

    (3) The county clerk, within 10 days from receipt of the list of nominees, shall appoint 1 of the nominees to the board of county canvassers. Before appointing a nominee to the board of county canvassers under this subsection, the county clerk may request that a nominee provide any of the following in order to determine whether the nominee is qualified for and interested in the position on the board of county canvassers:

    (a) A letter signed by the nominee indicating an interest in serving on the board of county canvassers and indicating an intent to discharge the duties of the position on the board of county canvassers to the best of his or her ability.

    (b) Prior election experience including canvassing elections.

    (c) Information on whether the nominee has been convicted of a felony or election crime.

    (4) A person appointed to fill a vacancy on the board of county canvassers shall serve for the balance of the unexpired term.