If a candidate of a political party for a township office, after having qualified as a candidate, dies after the last day for qualifying, leaving the political party without a candidate for a township office, a candidate to fill the vacancy may be selected by the members of the county executive committee of the candidate's political party residing in the township if 3 or more members of the county executive committee of that political party reside in the township. If less than 3 members of the county executive committee of that political party reside in the township, the county executive committee of that political party may select a candidate to fill the vacancy for that office. The name of the candidate selected shall be transmitted to the township officials required by law to print and distribute ballots. The name of the candidate shall be printed on the ballots, but if the ballots have been printed, the township officials shall have the ballots reprinted with the candidate's name on the ballots and the reprinted ballots shall be distributed to the various voting precincts within the township.