1346 LAWS OF MARYLAND. [CH. 651

preceding section is recorded among the Land Records of
Prince George's County, which petition shall be signed by
such person, and endorsed by at least fifteen (15) persons en-
titled to vote in the next town election. Upon the filing of
such petition, the Mayor and Common Council shall print
such persons' names upon the ballot with a square opposite
each, the names appearing in alphabetical order. Preceding
the list of names upon the ballot there shall appear a state-
ment instructing the voter how many persons to vote for.
Immediately upon the closing of the polls the ballots shall be
publicly counted and the said judges shall within two (2)
days thereafter make a true and correct return of the votes
so cast in a sealed envelope to the Mayor and within seven days
after such election the Mayor and Common Council shall meet
and canvass said returns and declare those qualified persons re-
ceiving the highest number of votes duly elected. In case
two (2) or more persons shall have received the same number
of votes so that there is no choice for office a new election shall
be immediately proclaimed by the Mayor and Common Council
from among such tie candidates, which election shall be held
on five (5) days' notice and in all respects as aforesaid except
as to the day of election.

SEC. 6. And be it further enacted, That the Mayor and
council men elected shall hold office for two years from the
second Monday in May or until their successors shall be elected
or appointed, and qualified as herein provided. Provided, how-
ever, that at the election to be held in May, 1939, the Mayor
and three candidates for Councilmen who receive the highest
number of votes, shall be elected for two years, and the three
candidates for councilmen who receive the next highest num-
ber of votes shall be elected for one year. In case any person
elected Mayor or Councilman shall fail to qualify within
thirty (30) days after his or her election, or in case of any
vacancy, by death, resignation, removal from said town or
otherwise, the Mayor and remaining Councilmen shall appoint
a qualified person to fill said vacancy, who shall qualify as
hereinbefore stated, to hold office for such term or unexpired
•term. All vacancies in the office of Mayor or of Councilmen
caused by absence from its session for more than three (3)
consecutive meetings without excuse satisfactory to the ma-
jority of the remaining Councilmen or Councilmen and Mayor
as the case may be shall be filled in the same manner as pro-
vided in this Section for filling vacancies due to other causes.
The Mayor and Councilmen shall serve without pay, and they
shall pass rules and by-laws for their own proceedings while
in session.