If there is a vacancy from any cause in the office of the mayor, the vacancy must be filled by appointment by a majority vote of all the aldermen, as soon as practicable after the vacancy occurs, to serve until the office is filled by election for the unexpired term at the next annual municipal election or by special election as provided in §9-13-14.2. Until the vacancy is filled, the powers and duties of mayor are executed by the mayor pro tempore, as provided in §9-8-13. A resignation by the mayor must be in writing and must specify the effective date of the resignation. A temporary absence or temporary incapacitation of the mayor is not a vacancy in the office of the mayor.

Source: SL 1890, ch 37 , art III, § 2; RPolC 1903, §§ 1182, 1184; SL 1907, ch 89 ; RC 1919, § 6205; SDC 1939, § 45.0701; SL 1959, ch 267 ; SL 1981, ch 64 ; SL 2005, ch 48 , § 1; SL 2017, ch 56 , § 3; SL 2025, ch 38 , § 19.