Any vacancy on the commission occurring by the failure of any person elected to the commission as a member or alternate member to continue in his or her position due to a change in status making the member ineligible to serve, or due to death, removal, or resignation, shall be filled, for the unexpired portion of the term, by a majority vote of the commission. However, that person shall fulfill all the qualifications set forth in this article as required for the member whose office that person is to fill. The qualifications of any person to fill a vacancy on the commission shall be certified in writing to the secretary. The secretary shall notify the commission if the secretary determines that any such person is not qualified.