(1) Except as otherwise provided in this section, a judge or judges of probate shall be elected in each probate court district created pursuant to law and each county at the general November election in which judges of probate are to be elected as provided by law. Each probate court district created pursuant to law and each county shall have that number of judges of probate as provided by law.

    (2) If there are fewer nominees for the office of judge of probate than there are persons to be elected because of the death or disqualification of a nominee less than 66 days before the general November election, then a person shall not be elected at that general November election to any office of judge of probate for which there is no nominee.