(2) ORS chapter 255 governs the nomination and election of the first board of a district defined under ORS 255.012 if the district has an elective board. If the district is not defined under ORS 255.012, the returns of the election shall be made to the county clerk. The clerk shall canvass the votes for members of the district board and issue certificates of election to the number of persons, equal to the number of board members named in the petition for formation, receiving the highest number of votes. [1971 c.727 §29; 1975 c.647 §1; 1983 c.350 §7]