(1) The election officials of each polling place shall meet at the polling place at least one-half (½) hour before the time for opening the polls for the election.
(2) If any election official fails to appear at the polling place, the officer of elections or, in such officer's absence, a majority of the election officials attending shall select other persons to fill the vacancies. The persons selected shall be registered voters of the county for which they are to serve. Any person selected to fill a vacancy shall be, to the extent practicable, of the same political party as the person in whose place such person was selected.
(3) The officer of elections or, in such officer's absence, the oldest election official in age who has taken the oath shall administer the oath of § 2-1-111 to the persons filling vacancies and to any other official who has not taken the oath.
(4) The officer of elections shall notify the county election commission of all vacancies.
(5) Persons appointed to vacancies shall be compensated at the same rate as others performing the job to which they are appointed.