§ 350.103. Special elections to fill permanent vacancies.

(a)

When called; by whom called. If a permanent vacancy shall occur in the office of a member of the Council more than two years prior to the date of the next general Consolidated Government election, the Council shall declare the vacancy to exist by resolution, and the vacancy shall be filled by a special election called by the Council by resolution pursuant to this Section.

(b)

When held.

(1)

If the vacancy occurs not earlier than the one hundred eightieth day nor later than the fifty-sixth day before the first primary election of a year in which a general statewide election is held, at which latter election all qualified voters of Duval County are entitled to participate, the special election to fill the vacancy shall be held as a part of and at the same time as the first primary election of such general statewide election. In the event no one is elected pursuant to the first election, a general election shall be held as a part of and at the same time as the general statewide election, of which the special election is a part. The time period during which candidates may qualify to run in the special election shall be the same as or the remaining time period during which candidates may qualify to run in the primary election and general statewide election.

(2)

If the vacancy occurs at any time more than two years prior to the date of the next general Consolidated Government election, other than as set forth in subsection (b)(1) of this Section, the first and second special elections to fill the vacancy shall be held at the time specified by the Council; provided, that at least four weeks shall intervene between the dates set for the first and second special elections. The time period during which candidates may qualify to run in the special elections shall be specified by the Council in the resolution calling the special election; provided, that a period of at least seven calendar days shall be fixed for the qualifying period and that the last date on which candidates may qualify shall occur not less than three weeks before the date of the first special election.

(3)

In all cases and situations not covered by this Section, and so far as practicable, the general laws of the state applicable to elections of County officials shall apply to the special elections and special primary elections herein provided for.

(Ord. 76-897-381, § 1; Ord. 83-591-400, § 1; Ord. 93-1267-1332, § 4)

Note— Former § 202.103.