(a) This Code section shall apply only to counties with a population of 425,000 or more according to the United States decennial census of 1990 or any future such census.

(b) When a candidate for election to clerk of the state court of a county is required by law at any time before election to name the person whom such candidate will appoint as chief deputy if elected to office, the ballot for office shall include, below the name of the candidate, the name of each candidate's designated chief deputy, labeled as such.

(c) This Code section shall not be construed to require any action to fill a vacancy in the position of chief deputy of clerk of the state court of a county.