SECTION 8. VACANCY.

   In case the office of Mayor shall become vacant, the President of Council shall thereupon become Mayor and the President's office of Council member shall become vacant, and the President of Council shall serve as Mayor for the unexpired term of his or her predecessor or until the beginning of the term of a successor duly elected as hereinafter provided. On or before its next meeting, after such vacancy occurs, the Council shall elect a new President of Council for the unexpired term of the predecesor President of Council.

   In case the office of Mayor shall become vacant, a successor for the unexpired term shall be elected as Mayor at the next regular municipal election, provided (a) such election shall occur more than two years prior to the expiration of the unexpired term, and (b) the vacancy shall have occurred more than one hundred twenty days (120) prior to such election. A President of Council who has become Mayor pursuant to this Section 8 may be a candidate to succeed himself or herself as Mayor.