The ombudsman shall hold office for four years from the first day in July of the year of approval by the senate and the house of representatives, and until a successor is appointed by the legislative council, unless the ombudsman can no longer perform the official duties, or is removed from office. The ombudsman may at any time be removed from office by constitutional majority vote of the two houses of the general assembly or as provided by chapter 66. If a vacancy occurs in the office of ombudsman, the deputy ombudsman shall act as ombudsman until the vacancy is filled by the legislative council.