For the purposes of this act, unless the context clearly requires otherwise:

(a) “Act” means Kan. Stat. Ann. §§ 73-213 through 73-219, and amendments thereto.

(b) “Appointive authority” means the person, board, commission or other authority vested by law with power to appoint a successor for an officer when a vacancy occurs in the office or position held by such officer. If no person, board, commission, or other authority is vested by law with power to appoint a successor for an officer when a vacancy occurs then “appointive authority” means the governor of the state of Kansas.

(c) “Military service” means active service in the army, navy, marine corps, air force, coast guard, space force, Kansas army or air national guard or any branch of the military reserves of the United States.

(d) “Officer” means any officer or employee of the state of Kansas or any political subdivision thereof.

(e) “Temporary vacancy” means a vacancy in an office or position caused by the absence in military service of the officer elected or appointed thereto. If the officer was originally elected or appointed for a definite term, “temporary vacancy” means the period of time beginning with the day such officer enters military service and ending either with the day such officer returns from military service or with the expiration of the appointed or elected term, whichever period of time is shorter. If the officer was originally appointed to the office or position for an indefinite term or for a term expiring at the pleasure of the appointive authority, such “temporary vacancy” means the period of time beginning with the day such officer enters military service and ending either with the day such officer shall return from military service, or with the expiration of the appointive power of the original appointive authority, whichever period of time is shorter.