(a) Except as provided under subsection (b) of this section, the officer issuing the writ shall set the day for holding the special election for the vacancy in the General Assembly, but such day shall not be less than 30 nor more than 35 days next after the day of issuing the writ.
(b) If a vacancy occurs that would require a special election to be held after June 30 but before the date of the general election pursuant to subsection (a) of this section in the year of a general election, the officer issuing the writ shall set the time for the election to fill the vacancy at the time of the general election unless the vacancy occurs after September 1 but before the general election and the office for which there is to be a special election is not on the ballot for the aforesaid general election, in which event, the officer issuing the writ shall set the time for the special election no earlier than December 12 nor later than December 20 in the year of the general election.
(c) Notwithstanding subsection (b) of this section, if a vacancy occurs that would require a special election to be held after June 30 but before the date of the general election pursuant to subsection (a) of this section in the year of a general election, the presiding officer of the house in which the vacancy occurs may determine that a special election shall be held sooner than the date of the general election, in which event the requirements of § 7101 of this title and subsection (a) of this section shall be followed.