Whenever nominations for two or more offices of the same classification are to be made, or whenever candidates are to be elected to two or more offices of the same classification at the same primary, general, special, or municipal election, each office shall be separately designated by number on the official ballot as “Place No. 1,” “Place No. 2,” “Place No. 3” and so forth; and the candidates for each place shall be separately nominated or elected, as the case may be. Each candidate for nomination for such office shall designate in the announcement of his or her candidacy and in his or her request to have his or her name placed on the official primary ballot the number of the place for which he or she desires to become a candidate. The name of each qualified candidate shall be printed on the official ballot used at any such election beneath the title of the office and the number of the place for which he or she is seeking nomination or election. No person shall be a candidate for more than one such place; provided, that this provision shall not apply to counties having a population of 500,000 or more according to the last or any subsequent federal census, except as to judicial officers and members of Congress.

In the case of elections for district court judges, circuit court judges, and appellate court judges, the Administrative Office of Courts shall recommend ballot places to the Secretary of State no later than December 1st of the year prior to the election.