Ala. Code § 45-35A-54.02
The mayor and the associate commissioner of Ward No. 2 shall continue to hold their respective offices until the first Monday in October, 1981, as provided by Act 2141, 1971 Regular Session (Acts 1971, p. 3431). Under applicable laws for the election of members of the board, the mayor, within the scope of this part, shall provide for an election to be held on the second Tuesday in September, 1979, and every four years thereafter for the positions of associate commissioners of Ward No. 1, Ward No. 3, and Ward No. 4 in the manner herein provided. On the second Tuesday in September, 1981, and every four years thereafter an election shall be held for the positions of mayor and associate commissioner of Ward No. 2 in the manner herein provided. Every candidate for election to any of such offices shall, in announcing his or her candidacy, designate the position for which he or she is a candidate; and the ballots or voting machines to be used at the elections shall be prepared accordingly. All persons in the city qualified to vote in such elections shall be entitled to vote for one candidate for mayor and for one candidate for the position of associate commissioner for each of the four wards. The candidate for the position of mayor who receives a majority of all the votes cast for all candidates for this position shall be declared elected as mayor; but if no candidate receives a majority, the two candidates receiving the highest number of votes cast shall be declared eligible for a second election. Whenever a candidate for any one of the positions of associate commissioner receives a majority of all the votes cast for all candidates for that position, he or she shall be declared elected to the position so designated; but if no candidate for such a designated position receives a majority, the two candidates receiving the highest number of votes shall be declared eligible for a second election. Such second election, when and if necessary, shall be held on the second Tuesday next succeeding the date of the first election. The candidate who received the highest number of votes in the second election shall be declared elected to such designated position. The term of office for the mayor shall be four years, and until his or her successor is elected and qualified as hereinafter provided. The term of office of each associate commissioner receiving the highest number of votes cast shall be four years, and until his or her successor is elected and qualified as hereinafter provided. Candidates declared elected shall qualify and take office on the first Monday in October next following their election. Except as otherwise provided herein, elections of the mayor and associate commissioners provided for by this part shall be conducted in accordance with the general election laws of Alabama.
Ala. Code § 45-35A-54.02 (1975)