Ohio Revised Code Title VII. Municipal Corporations § 705.42

At the first election held after the adoption of the commission plan under sections 705.41 to 705.48, inclusive, of the Revised Code, the entire number of commissioners shall be chosen. In municipal corporations having three commissioners, the candidate having the highest number of votes at such first election shall hold office for four years, and the remaining commissioners shall hold office for two years. In municipal corporations choosing five commissioners, the two candidates receiving the highest number of votes at such first election shall serve for four years, and the remaining commissioners shall serve for two years. At all subsequent elections, except where a commissioner is chosen to fill out an unexpired term, commissioners shall be chosen for a term of four years. Vacancies in the commission shall be filled by the commission for the remainder of the unexpired term. If the term of a commissioner whose place becomes vacant does not expire on the first day of January following the next regular municipal election, then the person chosen by the commission to fill such vacancy shall serve only until such regular election, at which time a commissioner shall be elected to fill the remainder of the unexpired term. When a vacancy occurs as the result of a recall election it shall be filled as provided by section 705.92 of the Revised Code.