The office of a judge is vacant at the expiration of the term of the incumbent when no person has been elected as the judge’s successor. The vacancy shall be filled by appointment by the governor. If the appointment is to a court of appeals, court of common pleas, or municipal court, the clerk of the court shall give written notice to the board of elections responsible for conducting elections for that court of the name of the appointee. A successor shall be elected for the unexpired term at the first general election for the office that occurs more than forty days after the vacancy occurs.