A special election to fill a vacancy in office of the mayor or council member shall be called by the city council as soon as said vacancy occurs, but in no event later than 14 days following the date upon which said vacancy occurs.
The special election to fill said vacant office shall be held on the next regular election date following the date upon which said election is called at which time permits said election to be lawfully held, or at an earlier date as may be fixed by the city council. The candidate receiving the greatest vote in said election shall be elected to fill said vacant office.
As used in this section, the term "regular election date" means the primary municipal election date for council elections and any election date specified in Section 2500 of the Elections Code of the State of California as the same now reads or may be hereafter amended.