An elective office shall become vacant on the death, resignation or recall of the official or if the official ceases being a resident of Snohomish county or is absent from the county for thirty consecutive days without being excused by the council. The council shall fill a vacancy from a list of three people submitted by the county central committee of the party which the official in office immediately prior to the vacancy represented. In the event that the official in office immediately prior to the vacancy was a non-partisan candidate, the vacancy shall be filled by the council.

Vacancies in elective office shall be filled at the next November general election, unless the vacancy occurs after the last day for filing declarations of candidacy, in which case the vacancy shall be filled at the next succeeding November general election. The person elected shall take office upon certification of the results of the election and shall serve the unexpired term of the vacated office. Until a successor has been elected and certified, a majority of the council shall fill the vacancy by appointment. All persons appointed to fill vacancies shall meet the qualifications for office set forth in this charter.