An alternate member to each member of the commission, except the ex officio members, shall be elected or appointed in the same manner and for the same term as the member. Except as provided in Section 77551, an alternate member shall, in the absence of the member for whom he or she is an alternate, serve in the place of the member and shall have and exercise all of the rights, privileges, and powers of the member when serving on the commission. In the event the status of a member changes thereby making the member ineligible to serve, or in the event of the death, removal, resignation, or disqualification of a member, the alternate member shall act as a member of the commission until a qualified successor is elected.