(a) The board of directors of any drainage district incorporated pursuant to Kan. Stat. Ann. § 24-501 et seq., and amendments thereto, shall consist of one person from each county in the district if the number of counties is odd, but if the number of counties is even, then there shall be an additional director at large. If the drainage district is located wholly within one county, the number of directors shall be three. Except as provided in subsection (b), the directors shall be freeholders who shall be residents of Kansas, whose lands in whole or in part are located within the district. The directors shall hold their offices for a term of four years and until their successors are elected and qualified. Elections to choose directors, except the first, shall be held on the Tuesday following the first Monday in November of the next odd-numbered year and every four years thereafter.

(b) If there are no residents in the drainage district, any owner of land within the district shall be a qualified voter and shall be qualified to hold the office of director.