§11-44-134. Removal of commissioners - Delivery of petition and certificate to board of commissioners; recall election; special election for selection of successor.

A copy of the petition provided for in Section 11-44-130, together with the certificate of the probate judge, shall be delivered to the board at a regular meeting thereof, and if the commissioner named therein shall not resign from office on or before the next regular meeting of the board, then the board shall at such next regular meeting order an election to be held by the municipality not less than 30 days nor more than 60 days from the date of said meeting, at which election the question shall be put whether the said commissioner shall be recalled. Notice of such election shall be published in a newspaper once a week for three successive weeks. If the majority of the electors at said election vote for the removal from office of the said commissioner and the number so voting in favor of such removal shall be equal to or greater than one half of the number of electors voting in the next preceding general municipal election in the municipality, the said commissioner's right to office shall terminate when the results of the election are declared and the said commissioner shall stand recalled; otherwise, he shall continue in office as if no election had been held.

Whenever the term of any commissioner is terminated as above provided, the board shall by resolution forthwith call a special election to select a successor to such commissioner, which election shall be held not more than 21 and not less than 14 days from the declaration of the result of the recall election. Notice of such election shall be published in a newspaper one time at least 10 days before such election is to be held. Candidates in such special election shall qualify and be voted upon and the successful candidate be determined in the same manner as provided in this article for the election of commissioners in quadrennial elections; provided, that statements of candidacy must be filed at least seven days before the day set for such election. In the event the term of more than one commissioner is terminated at the same recall election, the Governor shall appoint temporary successors to hold office until permanent successors are elected and qualified as provided in this section, but if the term of only one commissioner is terminated, no temporary successor shall be appointed for such interim.

(Acts 1964, 1st Ex. Sess., No. 214, p. 288, §20.)