SAN DIEGO -- Alcohol was the main contributor to San Diego City Councilman Charles Lewis's death, according to a final autopsy report that was released Monday.

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CHARLES LEWIS Images: Community Gathers At Councilman's Funeral Images: Charles Lewis 1966-2004 Video: Councilman Lewis Early Autopsy Results

The 37-year-old, who appeared to be in good health, died suddenly two weeks ago.

The exact cause of death was listed as acute gastrointestinal hemorrhage.

A medical examiner's report said Lewis died from a bleeding esophagus, high blood pressure and hepatic cirrhosis.

According to the autopsy, Lewis's liver showed advanced cirrhosis with alcoholic hepatitis.

People who were with the 4th District councilman said he was drinking lightly the day before he died.

He was taken to the hospital when he started vomiting blood.

Medical experts told 10News because of a severe liver problem, Lewis probably drank more than his body could take and he essentially bled to death.

The autopsy also showed there were no drugs with the exception of ibuprophen pain killers.

Meanwhile, dozens of 4th District residents gathered outside the Malcolm X Library Monday to protest the planned Nov. 30 special election to fill Lewis's seat.

Mayor Dick Murphy and City Manager Lamont Ewell recommended waiting until Nov. 30, but the activists want the special election held on Nov. 2, the same day as the general election.

"We want the mayor to understand that we need to have our election on Nov. 2," Barbara Howard, an event organizer said. "We cannot sit for five or six months without a representative. We have to have this declared and move forward with our community."

The City Council, as a procedural matter, is expected to declare the seat vacant when the panel returns from a summer recess on Sept. 7.

Murphy said he was advised by City Attorney Casey Gwinn the day after Lewis' death that the city could not legally consolidate the Nov. 2 general election with the 4th District special election because the state deadline for consolidation had passed.

"The city could have tried to hold two separate elections on Nov. 2, but the (San Diego County) Registrar of Voters advised that would be a logistical nightmare," the mayor said. "In addition, we felt that holding a special meeting of the City Council to call an election prior to Councilman Lewis' funeral would be insensitive."

Protestors outside the Malcolm X/Valencia Park Branch Library said the city would save nearly $300,000 by holding the elections on the same day. They said a delayed special election would disenfranchise 4th District voters by forcing them to go to the polls twice -- resulting in a lower turnout.

The group said they plan to take legal action against the city if the election to fill Lewis' seat is not held on Nov. 2.

The four candidates who have emerged as Lewis' possible successors are: George Stevens, who held the office from 1991-2002; Anthony Young, Lewis' chief of staff; Dwayne Crenshaw, whom Lewis defeated in the November 2002 runoff; and Marissa Acierto, who was defeated in the March 2002 primary.