In any county of the third class which will become a county of the second class on the first day of January next following the general election at which a county auditor would normally be elected for a county of the second class, candidates may file and stand for election for the office of county auditor in such third class county and the winner of the election for each office shall assume his duties on the first day of January next following the election for the full four-year term of office.
§ 55.045, RSMo