If the election submitted pursuant to § 7-7-1.5 is held at a primary election, each candidate for the vacant officer shall run as an independent candidate as provided in chapter 12-7 , except that the petition filing deadline shall be the first Tuesday in August

The officer shall be voted upon by the voters of the counties that have resolved to combine the office. Such officer shall hold office for a term of four years commencing on the first Monday of January following the officer's election. Source: SL 1988, ch 65 , § 8; SL 2002, ch 74 , § 4.