The Richmond School Board has yet to begin the process of replacing Nadine Marsh-Carter, but it will not be able to dawdle in filling the 7th District seat from which she resigned last week or in deciding when to hold a special election.

State law gives the now eight-member board 45 days to appoint a temporary representative until a special election can be held to fill the remainder of Ms. Marsh-Carter’s four-year term.

Ms. Marsh-Carter was elected in November 2016 and took office in January.

Her resignation came after the deadline for candidates to get on the ballot for the upcoming Nov. 7 election, requiring the board to make an appointment.

Already under pressure to find a new superintendent, the board has two options for a special election.

The board could follow the same procedure it did in replacing now Delegate Jeff M. Bourne. The board named Cindy A. Menz-Erb to fill the 3rd District seat that Mr. Bourne gave up upon his election to the House of Delegates until the next general election. That special election for the 3rd District seat will take place on Tuesday, Nov. 7, the same day as the general election.

If the same process is used, the board would name a 7th District replacement and then hold the special election with the November 2018 general election.

The other option is for the board to name a replacement and then seek a special election in the winter or spring to let voters fill the seat more quickly.