Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, the Wicomico County Council shall appoint an individual to fill a vacancy of an elected member on the county board in accordance with § 3–13A–03 of this subtitle. If a vacancy for an elected member occurs before the date that is 30 days before the date for filing a certificate of candidacy for the primary election in the presidential election year, the individual appointed under subsection (a) of this section shall serve only until a successor is elected by the voters at the next general election. Candidates for the vacated office may be nominated at a primary election in the same manner as for any other position on the county board.