5. a. When any vacancy occurs on the board of chosen freeholders otherwise than by expiration of term, it shall be filled by election for the unexpired term only at the next general election occurring not less than 60 days after the occurrence of the vacancy, except that no such vacancy shall be filled at the general election which immediately precedes the expiration of the term in which the vacancy occurs. In the event a vacancy eligible to be filled by election hereunder occurs on or before the sixth day preceding the last day for filing petitions for nomination for the primary election, such petitions may be prepared and filed for nomination in that primary election in the manner provided by article 3 of chapter 23 of Title 19 of the Revised Statutes. In the event the vacancy occurs after that sixth day preceding the last day for filing petitions for nomination for the primary election, or if the vacancy occurs on or before the sixth day preceding the last day for filing petitions for nomination for the primary election but no such petition has been filed with respect to a given political party, each political party, or that party respectively, may select a candidate for the office in question in the manner prescribed in subsections a. and b. of R.S.19:13-20 for selecting candidates to fill vacancies among candidates nominated at primary elections. A statement of such selection under R.S.19:13-20 shall be filed with the county clerk not later than the 48th day preceding the date of the general election.

Besides the selection of candidates by each political party, candidates may also be nominated by petition in a manner similar to direct nomination by petition for the general election; but if the candidate of any party to fill the vacancy will be chosen at a primary election, such petition shall be filed with the county clerk at least 55 days prior to the primary election; and if no candidate of any party will be chosen at a primary election, such petition shall be filed with the county clerk not later than 12 o’clock noon of the day on which the first selection meeting by any party is held under this section to select a nominee to fill the vacancy.

The county clerk shall print on the ballots for the territory affected, in the personal choice column, the title of office and leave a proper space under such title of office; and print the title of office and the names of such persons as have been duly nominated, in their proper columns.

b. Notwithstanding subsection a. of this section, if at any time after an election for the office of county executive or for a member of the freeholder board and before the time fixed for the commencement of the term of the office, the person elected to that office dies or otherwise becomes unable to assume office , the county committee of the political party of which the person elected was the nominee shall appoint another person to fill the position until the next general election. If the person elected was not the nominee of a political party, on or within 30 days after the time fixed for the commencement of the term of office, the governing body shall appoint a successor to fill the office until the next general election without regard to party.

L.1990,c.33,s.5; amended 2000, c.126, s.11.