Okla. Stat. tit. 26, § 26-11-107: Vacancy - Expiration of term

If a judicial officer who was elected to a six-year term that

expires the second Monday in January following the election or who

was appointed to fill a vacancy that expires the second Monday in

January following the election and who was retained in office by the

voters at a prior General Election fails to file a Declaration of

Candidacy to be retained in office to succeed himself, or files such

a Declaration but is not retained in office at the election, the

vacancy in office occurs on the second Monday in January following

the election. If a judicial officer who was appointed to fill a

vacancy but who has not yet been retained in office by the voters

fails to file a Declaration of Candidacy, the vacancy in office

occurs when the time to file such Declaration has expired. If such

judicial officer files a Declaration of Candidacy but is not

retained in office by the voters, the vacancy in office occurs when

the result of the election is certified to the Secretary of State.

In any of the above cases, the judicial officer may continue in

office after the vacancy occurs until his successor has been

appointed and has qualified for office.