§ 2-04. Vacancy in Council Office.

A.

The office of a Council member shall become vacant upon death, resignation, removal from office in any manner authorized by law, forfeiture of office, failure to take office, or as otherwise provided in this charter.

B.

A vacancy on the Council shall be filled by appointment within fifteen (15) days after the vacancy occurs of a person meeting the qualifications for that office by the favorable vote of a majority of the remaining members of the Council.

C.

If one (1) year or less of the unexpired term remains when the vacancy occurs, the appointee shall serve out the remainder of the term. The person appointed to fill the vacancy shall not be eligible to be a candidate for the next full term for the Council.

D.

If the vacancy occurs more than one (1) year before the expiration of the term, the appointee shall serve until the office is filled by the vote of the qualified electors voting in an election called by the Council for that purpose and the person elected assumes the office. The person appointed to fill the vacancy shall not be eligible to be a candidate for the election to fill the remainder of the unexpired term. The Council, within fifteen (15) days after the vacancy occurs, shall call an election to fill the vacancy. The election shall be held according to the timetable and procedures established by state law for the filling of vacancies in elected local offices.

E.

If the Council does not make an appointment as required by this section within fifteen (15) days of the occurrence of the vacancy, the appointment shall be made by the governor of the State of Louisiana. If an election is required and the Council fails to call the election within fifteen (15) days after the vacancy occurs, the governor of the State of Louisiana shall call the election.

(Reprint of January 2010)