The mayor shall preside at meetings of the council, and shall berecognized as head of the city government for all ceremonial purposes and bythe Governor for purposes of military law, but shall have no regularadministrative duties. The councilshall elect from its membership at the first regular meeting a mayor pro-temwho shall act as mayor during the absence or disability of the mayor. The mayor and mayor pro-tem when soelected shall hold their respective offices until the next council takesoffice; provided that if the mayor or mayor pro-tem or bothshall cease to be a member of the council his, her, or their offices asmayor or mayor pro-tem shall become vacant. Ifthe mayor’s post is vacated with less than 12 months remaining in the term, themayor pro-tem shall fill the unexpired term of the mayor. If themayor’s post is vacated with 12 months or more remaining in the term, a specialelection shall be called, in accordance with provisions for special elections. The judge of probate shall call the specialelection within 45 days and no more than 60 days aftercertification of the vacancy by the council.
Alabama Legal Code