(a) Unless otherwise provided by local law, in the event of the absence or disability of the mayor of all Class 3 municipalities, the president of the council, or the president pro tempore of the council in case of absence or disability of the president of the council, shall act as mayor pro tempore with the power and authority of the mayor during such time. In the event of a failure or refusal of the president of the council or the president pro tempore of the council to act, the council may appoint one of its members to act as mayor pro tempore with like effect, which appointment shall be entered in the minutes of the council.
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Terms Used In Alabama Code 11-43-87

  • person: includes a corporation as well as a natural person. See Alabama Code 1-1-1
  • President pro tempore: A constitutionally recognized officer of the Senate who presides over the chamber in the absence of the Vice President. The President Pro Tempore (or, "president for a time") is elected by the Senate and is, by custom, the Senator of the majority party with the longest record of continuous service.
  • Remainder: An interest in property that takes effect in the future at a specified time or after the occurrence of some event, such as the death of a life tenant.
  • state: when applied to the different parts of the United States, includes the District of Columbia and the several territories of the United States. See Alabama Code 1-1-1
  • year: means a calendar year; but, whenever the word "year" is used in reference to any appropriations for the payment of money out of the treasury, it shall mean fiscal year. See Alabama Code 1-1-1
(b) Unless otherwise provided by local law, vacancies in the offices of mayor, president, and president pro tempore of the council, and vacancies in the council, of Class 3 municipalities shall be filled as herein provided.

(1) In the event of a vacancy from any cause in the office of mayor occurring with more than one year remaining in the vacated term, the president of the council shall call for a special election to fill the vacancy. Such election shall be set no later than 120 days nor less than 60 days after the occurrence of such vacancy. The person elected at the special election shall serve the remainder of the unexpired term. Such election shall be held in conjunction with a general, special, or constitutional election, if any falls within the period herein specified; otherwise, the special election shall be called on the date set by the council and shall be held in accordance with the provisions of this section and the general laws applicable to such city.
(2) In the event of a vacancy from any cause in the office of mayor occurring with one year or less remaining in the vacated term, the president of the council shall succeed to the office of mayor for the unexpired term, or in the absence or disability of the president of the council, the functions of the vacant office of mayor shall be exercised by the president pro tempore of the council.
(3) In the event of a vacancy in the office of the president of the council, the president pro tempore shall, in like manner, be president of the council for the unexpired term.
(4) In the event of a vacancy in the office of the president pro tempore, the office shall be filled by the council from the membership of the council.
(5) Vacancies of any nature in the council other than those occurring less than 180 days prior to the date of the next regular council election, shall be filled by special election to be held for that purpose, the dates of which shall be set by the council at the next regular meeting or any subsequent meeting of the council after such vacancy occurs, such date to be set no later than 120 nor less than 60 days after the occurrence of such vacancies. Such election shall be held in the same manner and subject to the same procedures as regular council elections and the person so elected shall hold office for the remainder of the unexpired term. Such election shall be held in conjunction with a general, special, or constitutional election, if any falls within the period herein specified; otherwise, a special election shall be called by the mayor on the date set by the council and shall be held in accordance with the provisions of this section and the general laws applicable to such city.

If a vacancy occurs after reapportionment has changed the district boundaries but before the new districts take effect, the old district boundaries will remain in effect for filling that vacancy.

Vacancies where less than 180 days remain of the unexpired term shall be filled by appointment by the council.

(c) Special elections called pursuant to this section shall be conducted as provided by the general laws of this state regarding municipal elections.
(d) The procedures provided in this section shall be used, unless otherwise provided by local law, for any vacancies existing on or after April 3, 1990.
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