In any election at which two or more judges or justices of any court are to be voted for or elected for the same term, it shall be deemed that there are as many separate judicial offices to be filled as there are judges or justices of the court to be elected. Each separate office shall be designated by a distinguishing number not greater than the total number of the offices. The designation shall remain the same for all purposes of both primary and general election and shall be used on all nomination papers, certificates of nomination, ballots, certificates of election, and all election papers referring to the office. After election and the issuance of the certificates of election, the designating number shall have no further significance.