(1) If a person occupying the office of chief justice or associate justice of the supreme court or judge of a district court of the state of Montana becomes a candidate for election to any elective office under the laws of the state of Montana other than a judicial position, the person shall immediately, or in any event at or before the time when the person is required to file as a candidate for the office in any primary, special, or general election, resign from the office of chief justice, associate justice, or district court judge.
(2) The resignation becomes effective immediately upon its delivery to the proper officer or superior.
(3) The resignation requirement does not apply when the person is a bona fide candidate for reelection to the identical office currently occupied by the person or for another judicial position.