Except as provided in section 22-417,
(1) a register of deeds shall be elected in each county having a population of more than twenty thousand and not more than four hundred thousand inhabitants at the statewide general election in 1962 and each four years thereafter and in counties having a population in excess of four hundred thousand inhabitants at the statewide general election in 1964 and each four years thereafter and
(2) if the population of a county which has a separate office of register of deeds pursuant to this section falls below twenty thousand inhabitants after establishing such an office or if a county which has a separate office of register of deeds immediately prior to July 10, 1990, has a population of twenty thousand inhabitants or less, the office of the register of deeds shall continue and the officer shall be elected pursuant to this section as if the county had a population of more than twenty thousand and not more than four hundred thousand inhabitants. The term of the register of deeds shall be four years or until his or her successor is elected and qualified. The register of deeds shall meet the qualifications found in section 23-1501. The register of deeds shall be elected on the partisan ballot.