Election of trustees

The trustees of each Methodist Church shall be elected by ballot by the members of such church, of legal age, on the second Monday of October of each year, at the usual place of worship of such church; or in such other manner as the discipline of the Methodist Church may prescribe. Notice of such election shall be given from the pulpit of such church on at least two Sundays preceding or by having such notice posted on the door of the place of worship by the clerk of the board of trustees at least fifteen days next preceding the time of election, and such trustees shall hold their office until their successors are elected. The polls of such election shall remain open for at least one hour after the time designated in such notice and, in case of failure to elect on the day named in such notice, the election may be held on any subsequent day of the same month after legal notice thereof. If a vacancy occurs in the board of trustees, it may be filled at any special meeting called for that purpose, after giving the notice provided for in this section. At each election there shall be appointed by the electors present a chairman and clerk, who shall act jointly as inspectors of election, receive and count the votes for such trustees and certify under oath who have received the majority of the votes. Whenever the members of any Methodist Church fail to elect trustees as above provided, the quarterly conference of such church may elect trustees to fill the vacancy until the next ensuing annual election; and at each annual election the legal voters shall elect trustees to fill any vacancies for the unexpired terms. Upon the formation of any Methodist Church, the first election of its trustees shall be made by the quarterly conference, and such trustees shall hold office until the next ensuing annual election. Said quarterly conference shall determine the number of trustees to be so elected, which number shall not be more than fifteen nor less than three.