Section 15A. Elections to Fill Vacancies.
   If there is a vacancy in the office of Mayor, or member of Council, from a district or at-large, the vacancy shall be filled first by appointment or succession to the office as specified in this Charter and filled for the unexpired term at an election for that purpose as specified below.
   If there is a vacancy in the office of Mayor or Member of Council at-large, an election for the unexpired term shall be held at the next general election occurring more than ninety (90) days after the date of the vacancy. Persons desiring to become candidates for the office shall file nominating petitions as provided in this Charter with the election authorities not later than the sixtieth day before the said election. If the vacancy occurs in the year that the election for that office is already scheduled, then the person appointed shall serve until a successor is elected and qualified.
   If there is a vacancy in the office of a member of Council from a district, the vacancy shall be filled at the next primary or general election occurring more than forty-five (45) but less than one hundred eighty (180) days after the date the vacancy occurred, but if no primary or general election is scheduled during that time period, then the vacancy shall be filled at a special election on the next available special election date as specified in state law occurring more than forty-five (45) days after the vacancy occurred. Each person desiring to become a candidate to fill the unexpired term shall file nominating petitions with the election authorities as provided in this Charter not later than the tenth day following the date on which the vacancy occurred, or on the fortieth day before the date of the election, which is later, provided that when the vacancy occurs fewer than six (6) days before the fortieth day before the election, the deadline for filing shall be the thirty-sixth day before that election.
   In the event application of the foregoing paragraph would result in holding an election to fill an unexpired term on the same date as a regularly scheduled primary or general municipal election held to nominate or elect an individual to serve for the next succeeding term, or within sixty (60) days prior thereto, then there shall be no election for the unexpired term and instead the appointee shall serve until the new officer is elected and qualified for the next succeeding term.
(Amended by electors 11-7-00)