Vacancy in Office. As a general rule, only death or expulsion can vacate an elective Masonic office. An elected officer cannot resign and, even if he moves to some distant place, he retains his office, though a subordinate may succeed to the performance of his duties. It follows that an elected officer cannot demit from his lodge during his term of office, for that would only be another way of resigning his office. In Virginia, however, any officer, except the Master, may resign.