(1) Except as provided in subsection (2), the eighth district consists of the county of Kalamazoo, is a district of the first class, and has 7 judges.

    (2) Beginning on the earlier of the following dates, the eighth district has 6 judges:

    (a) The date on which a vacancy occurs in the office of district judge in the eighth district.

    (b) The beginning date of the term for which an incumbent district judge in the eighth district no longer seeks election or reelection to that office.