(a) Except as otherwise provided in this section and Section 5531, Chapter 1 (commencing with Section 8000) of Part 1 of Division 8 of the Elections Code shall substantially govern the manner of appointment of circulators, the form of nomination documents and the securing of signatures to the nomination documents, the filing of the candidate’s nomination documents, the payment of filing fees, and all other things necessary to get the name of the candidate upon the ballot.

(b) Circulators may obtain signatures to the nomination paper of any candidate at any time not more than 113 days nor less than 88 days prior to the election, and all nomination documents shall be filed with the secretary of the district not more than 113 days nor less than 88 days before the day of election and shall be examined by him or her.

(c) The election shall be consolidated with the general election as to territory that is the same, and the secretary of the district shall certify the names of all candidates to be placed upon the ballot to the county elections official or officials within the territory affected by the consolidation at least 67 days prior to the date of the election.

(d) Upon the filing of a sufficient nomination paper and declaration of candidacy by any candidate, the name of the candidate shall go upon the ballot at the ensuing general election. Upon receipt of the returns of the canvass by the respective boards of supervisors, the directors of the district shall meet and determine results of the election and declare the candidate or candidates elected.

(e) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section if, by 5 p.m. on the 83rd day prior to the day fixed for the ensuing general election, only one person has been nominated for any elective office to be filled at that election, or no one has been nominated for the office and if a petition signed by 10 percent of the voters or 50 voters, whichever is the smaller number, in the district, or division if elected by division, requesting that the election of directors be held has not been presented to the board of directors, the board of directors shall submit a certificate of these facts to the county elections official or officials and the board of directors, at a regular or special meeting held prior to the last Monday before the last Friday in November in which the election is held, shall appoint to the office or offices the person or persons, if any, who have been nominated. The board of directors shall make the appointments. If no person has been nominated for any office, the board of directors shall appoint any person to the office who is qualified at the first regular or special meeting after the date upon which the election would have been held. The board of directors may permit the candidates running unopposed to have their names appear on the ballot, at the board’s option. The person appointed shall qualify and take office and serve exactly as if elected for the office.

(f) The secretary of the district shall issue certificates of election, signed by him or her and duly authenticated, immediately following the determination of the result of the election or the appointment by the directors of the district.

(g) The oath of office shall be taken, subscribed, and filed with the secretary of the district within 30 days after the officer has notice of his or her election or appointment or before the expiration of 15 days before the commencement of his or her term of office. No other filing is required.

(Amended by Stats. 2006, Ch. 588, Sec. 16. Effective January 1, 2007.)