(a) The judges of the supreme court, the court of appeals, and the court of criminal appeals shall be elected by the qualified voters of the state in a statewide retention election conducted in accordance with chapter 4, part 1 of this title, and any appointments to fill a vacancy or a full eight-year term shall be made in accordance with chapter 4, part 1 of this title.
(b) The chancellors, circuit court judges, criminal court judges, and judges of any other state trial court of record shall be elected by the qualified voters of their respective judicial districts, as provided in the general election law set forth in title 2, and any appointments due to a vacancy in any of these offices shall be made in accordance with chapter 4, part 3 of this title.