(1) Not later than the 30th day after the Governor issues the proclamation provided for in ORS § 199.790 or 202.060, the Governor shall appoint three electors, who must be residents of the new county so formed, to serve as county judge and commissioners for the new county. When the persons appointed accept and qualify for their offices under ORS § 204.016 and 204.020, the new county shall have existence as a county and shall be governed by the laws of this state relating to counties. The persons appointed shall serve until the first Monday in January after the general election, or, if applicable, after the election specified in ORS § 249.088, at which their successors are elected.

(2) At the next practicable general election, or, if applicable, at the next practicable election specified in ORS § 249.088, following the appointment, successors to the persons appointed under this section shall be elected. The candidate receiving the highest number of votes shall be elected county judge. If the office of county judge has judicial functions, the candidate shall be elected to a six-year term. If the office of county judge has no judicial functions, the candidate shall be elected to a four-year term. The candidate receiving the second highest number of votes shall be elected to a four-year term as commissioner. The candidate receiving the third highest number of votes shall be elected to a two-year term as commissioner.

(3) The successors shall take office on the first Monday in January next following their election.

(4) At each general election, or, if applicable, at each election specified in ORS § 249.088, following the election at which the first board is elected, a successor shall be elected to fill any expiring term. [Amended by 1983 c.350 § 14; 1997 c.494 § 20; 2001 c.430 § 6]