(a) Whenever an election fails to fill the office of county surveyor, the judge of the probate court shall appoint a person to serve as the county surveyor until a successor is duly elected in a special election which shall be held at the time of the next general election to serve out the remainder of the unexpired term of office. (b) In the event that a vacancy occurs in the office of county surveyor, the judge of the probate court shall appoint a person to serve for the unexpired term of office and until his successor is duly elected and has qualified. History. — Orig. Code 1863, § 544; Code 1868, § 608; Code 1873, § 567; Code 1882, § 567; Civil Code 1895, § 474; Civil Code 1910, § 592; Code 1933, § 23-1102; Ga. L. 1969, p. 350, § 1; Ga. L. 1988, p. 586, § 3.