(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, if, in a district subject to this article, by 5 p.m. on the 83rd day prior to the day fixed for the general election, no one or only one person has filed a declaration of candidacy for a particular ward, the county elections official shall submit a certificate of these facts to the district board and inform the board that it may, at a regular or special meeting held on or before the 76th day prior to the election, adopt one of the following courses of action:

1. (1) If only one person has filed a declaration of candidacy for a ward, appoint that person to the office.
2. (2) If no one has filed a declaration of candidacy for a ward, appoint a person to the office who would be qualified on the date the election would have been held.
3. (3) If either no one or only one person has filed a declaration of candidacy for a ward, hold the election.