(a) The Judicial Vacancy Advisory Commission shall assist the Governor in filling judicial vacancies. The commission shall meet and submit a list of no more than five nor less than two of the most qualified persons to the Governor within 90 days of the occurrence of a vacancy, or the formal announcement of the justice or judge by letter to the Governor of an upcoming resignation or retirement that will result in the occurrence of a vacancy, in the office of Justice of the Supreme Court of Appeals, judge of the Intermediate Court of Appeals, judge of a circuit court, or judge of a family court. The Governor shall make the appointment to fill the vacancy, as required by this article, within 30 days following the receipt of the list of qualified candidates or within 30 days following the vacancy, whichever occurs later.
(b) The commission shall consist of eight appointed members appointed by the Governor for six-year terms, including four public members and four attorney members. The Governor shall appoint attorney members from a list of nominees provided by the Board of Governors of the West Virginia State Bar. The Board of Governors of the West Virginia State Bar shall nominate no more than 20 nor less than 10 of the most qualified attorneys for appointment to the commission whenever there is a vacancy in the membership of the commission reserved for attorney members. The commission shall choose one of its appointed members to serve as chair for a three-year term. No more than four appointed members of the commission shall belong to the same political party. All members of the commission shall be citizens of this state. Public members of the commission may not be licensed to practice law in West Virginia or any other jurisdiction.
(c) (1) No more than two appointed members of the commission may be residents of the same state senatorial district, as provided in 1-2-1 of this code, at the time of appointment: Provided, That the members appointed to, and serving on, the commission prior to the enactment of this subdivision are not disqualified from service for the remainder of the members term based on the residency requirements of this subdivision.
(2) No more than three appointed members of the commission may be residents of the same congressional district: Provided, That, if the number of congressional districts in the state is reduced to two, then no more than four appointed members of the commission may be residents of the same congressional district: Provided, however, That the members appointed to, and serving on, the commission prior to the date on which the number of congressional districts in the state is reduced to two are not disqualified from service for the remainder of the members term based on the residency requirements of this subdivision.