Following the four-year term of the initially appointed board of directors formed pursuant to Section 26567 and composed of owners of real property within the district, the board of directors shall be composed of five elected directors. The term of office of directors shall be four years. The expiration of the term of any director shall not constitute a vacancy and he or she shall hold office until his or her successor has qualified. Elections shall be called and conducted, and the results canvassed, returned, and declared pursuant to the Uniform District Election Law (Part 4 (commencing with Section 10500) of Division 10 of the Elections Code). This section shall not apply to a district where the legislative body has appointed itself as the board of directors.