Sec. 2.03. ELECTED MEMBERS OF BOARD. (a) The elected members of the board of trustees shall be elected and hold office in accordance with this section.

(b) Between November 1 of each year and the first Monday in January of the following year, the board of trustees shall hold an election to elect one member of the board of trustees. If only one firefighter or retiree is nominated for a position under Subsection (c) of this section, instead of holding an election, the board of trustees may appoint the sole nominated candidate at the first board meeting in January. The board shall adopt procedures for the appointment of a sole nominated candidate under this subsection. A board member appointed under this subsection is considered elected for purposes of this Act.

(c) Each election is by secret written ballot on a date the board of trustees determines. Only persons who have been nominated may be listed on the written ballot. Nominations may be made in person, by mail, or by telephone to the office of the fund and must be received between September 1 and September 15.

(d) The board of trustees shall certify the results of each election. A newly elected board member takes office at the first board meeting in January.

(e) The elected members of the board of trustees hold office for staggered terms of three years, with the term of one trustee expiring each year. Elected members of the board of trustees shall serve during the term for which they are elected and until their successors are elected and have qualified, unless a vacancy results because of death, resignation, or removal.

(f) A vacancy in the position of an elected member of the board of trustees shall be filled for the remainder of that person's term at an election to be held on a date selected by the board of trustees that must be within 60 days after the date of the event that caused the vacancy.

(g) The firefighter or retiree receiving the highest number of votes cast in an election under this section is elected, except that if no person receives a majority of the votes cast, a runoff election shall be held between the two persons receiving the highest number of votes. A runoff election is held on a date determined by the board of trustees, and the person receiving the higher number of votes in the runoff election is elected.

(h) The administrative expenses of an election under this section may be paid from the assets of the fund. Assets of the fund may not be used to pay campaign expenses incurred by or for a member. Administrative office supplies and equipment belonging to the fund may not be used to assist any candidate or person seeking to assist a candidate for a position on the board of trustees.