traffic court in the City of Philadelphia and of [justices of
the peace] magisterial district judges shall be six years. The
tenure of any justice or judge shall not be affected by changes
in judicial districts or by reduction in the number of judges.
(b) A justice or judge elected or appointed under section
[13(a), appointed under section 13(d)] 13 or retained under this
section 15(b) may file a declaration of candidacy for retention
election with the officer of the Commonwealth who under law
shall have supervision over elections on or before the first
Monday of January of the year preceding the year in which [his]
the term of office of the justice or judge expires. If no
declaration is filed, a vacancy shall exist upon the expiration
of the term of office of such justice or judge, to be filled by
[election under section 13(a) or by appointment under section
13(d) if applicable] appointment under section 13(b.1) or by
election under section 13(a). If a justice or judge files a
declaration, [his name] the name of the justice or judge shall
be submitted to the electors without party designation, on a
separate judicial ballot or in a separate column on voting
machines, at the municipal election immediately preceding the
expiration of the term of office of the justice or judge, to
determine only the question whether [he] the justice or judge
shall be retained in office. If a majority is against retention,
a vacancy shall exist upon the expiration of [his] the term of
office of that justice or judge, to be filled by appointment
under section 13(b) [or under section 13(d) if applicable]. If a
majority favors retention, the justice or judge shall serve for
the regular term of office provided herein, unless sooner
removed or retired. At the expiration of each term a justice or
judge shall be eligible for retention as provided herein,
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