(1) The court of appeals shall be composed of twelve (12) judges, of whom no more than four (4) shall be residents of the same grand division of the state. Immediately preceding appointment, each judge shall be at least thirty (30) years of age, shall have been a resident of the state for at least five (5) consecutive years, shall have been a resident of the grand division from which the judge is appointed for at least one (1) year, and shall be licensed to practice law in this state. For purposes of this subsection (a), “resident” has the same meaning as defined in § 2-1-104.
(2) The oaths of office of the judges of the court of appeals shall be filed and entered on the minutes of the court in the particular grand division from which the judge has been appointed and confirmed or subsequently elected. The oath shall likewise be filed and entered on the records in the office of the secretary of state at Nashville.
(3) The judges of the court of appeals shall be elected by the qualified voters of the state in a statewide retention election conducted in accordance with title 17, chapter 4, part 1. Vacancies on the court of appeals shall be filled by the governor in accordance with title 17, chapter 4, part 1.