478.330.  Additional circuit judges authorized, when. — 1.  When an annual judicial performance report submitted pursuant to section 477.405 indicates for three consecutive calendar years the need for two or more full-time judicial positions in any judicial circuit there shall be one additional circuit judge position authorized in such circuit, subject to an initial appropriation made for that purpose.  The clerk of the supreme court shall notify the Missouri revisor of statutes of any new circuit judgeships authorized under this section, and the Missouri revisor of statutes shall publish a footnote to this section listing the authorized judgeships and corresponding judicial circuits.

  2.  Except in circuits where circuit judges are selected under the provisions of Sections 25(a) to 25(g) of Article V of the Missouri Constitution or except as otherwise provided by law, a circuit judge authorized under subsection 1 of this section shall be elected at the next general election after the authorization, and every six years thereafter.  Such judicial position shall not be considered vacant or filled by appointment until January first next following the authorization.  Except in circuits where circuit judges are selected under the provisions of Sections 25(a) to 25(g) of Article V of the Missouri Constitution, the election of circuit judges authorized by this section shall be conducted in accordance with chapter 115.