(1) Whenever a vacancy occurs in the office of justice of the Supreme Court, judge of the Court of Appeals, judge of the circuit court, or judge of the district court, the chief justice or his designee shall notify each member of the appropriate judicial nominating commission that such vacancy exists and that the commission will convene to consider its nominations.

(2) If the governor has not yet made the appointments to the commission as provided in section 118(2) of the Kentucky Constitution, the chief justice or his designee shall ask the governor to do so.

(3) If a justice or judge submits a letter of resignation which is to become effective on a date subsequent or if a judicial position is created by act of the general assembly, or a justice or judge is elected to another judicial office; the commission shall proceed as if a vacancy exists as of the date the resignation is submitted, the election occurs or the date on which the act is signed by the governor or becomes law without his signature, and the commission may convene to make its nominations so that the governor may prepare to make his appointment at the time the vacancy becomes effective.