(a) (1) In case of the death, resignation or removal of the Mayor, the vacancy in the office of Mayor shall be filled, until a successor is elected and qualified, by a person chosen by the residents of the City who are members of the City Central Committee if there is one, or if not, then by the County Central Committee, of the political party with which the last occupant of the office was affiliated. If the vacancy occurs because of the death, resignation, or inability to take office of a Mayor-elect, an appointment to take the office at the beginning of the term shall be made by the members of the Central Committee who reside in the City where the vacancy occurs.
(2) Not less than five nor more than 45 days after the vacancy occurs, the specified members of the City or County Committee shall meet to make an appointment to fill the vacancy. Not less than four days before the date of the meeting the Committee chairperson or secretary shall send, by mail to every member eligible to vote on filling the vacancy, a written notice stating the date, time and place of the meeting and its purpose. A majority of the eligible members present at the meeting may make the appointment.
(3) If the last occupant of the office of Mayor or the Mayor-elect was elected as an independent candidate, the vacancy shall be filled, until a successor is elected and qualified, by election by the legislative authority.
(b) If a vacancy in the office of Mayor occurs more than 40 days before the next regular Municipal election, a successor shall be elected at that election for the unexpired term unless the unexpired term ends within one year immediately following the date of that election, in which case an election to fill the unexpired term shall not be held and the person appointed or elected under division (a) of this section shall hold the office for the unexpired term. If an election is held under this division, the person appointed or elected by the legislative authority under division (a) of this section shall hold the office until a successor is elected and qualified under this division.
(ORC 733.08; 1978 Code § 32.10)