(1) Until the date determined under subsection (2), the eighty-eighth district consists of the counties of Alpena and Montmorency, is a district of the first class, and has 1 judge.

    (2) Beginning on the date on which a vacancy occurs in the office of district judge in the eighty-eighth district or the beginning date of the term for which the incumbent district judge in the eighty-eighth district no longer seeks election or reelection to that office, whichever is earlier, the eighty-eighth district consists of the counties of Alpena and Montmorency and is a district of the first class. Under section 810a, the probate judge for the county of Alpena shall serve as judge of the eighty-eighth district within the county of Alpena, and the probate judge for the county of Montmorency shall serve as judge of the eighty-eighth district within the county of Montmorency.