Each member of the commission, except ex officio members, shall have an alternate member to be elected in the same manner as the member. Except as provided in Section 77264, an alternate member shall, in the absence of the member for whom he or she is an alternate, serve in place of the member and shall have and be able to exercise all the rights, privileges, and powers of the member when serving on the commission. In the event of a change in status making a member ineligible to serve, or due to death, removal, resignation, or disqualification of a member, the alternate member shall act as a member on the commission until a qualified successor is elected or appointed.