(a) Any judge of state court who is performing ordered military duty, as defined in Code Section 38-2-279, shall be eligible for reelection in any primary or general election which may be held to elect a successor for the next term of office, and may qualify in absentia as a candidate for reelection to such office. The performance of ordered military duty shall not create a vacancy in such office during the term for which such judge was elected.
(b) Where the giving of written notice of candidacy is required, any judge of state court who is performing ordered military duty may deliver such notice by mail, agent, or messenger to the proper elections official. Any other act required by law of a candidate for public office may, during the time such official is on ordered military duty, be performed by an agent designated in writing by the absent public official.