The district shall be governed by a commission to be known as the Gowensville Fire District Commission. The commission shall consist of five resident electors of the district who shall be elected by the qualified electors of the district. The election shall be conducted by the Greenville and Spartanburg County Election Commissions upon a date set by the commissions. The commissions shall give notice by publication sixty days prior to the election and a second notice two weeks after the first notice, in one or more newspapers with general circulation in the district. The election commissions in both counties shall certify the five candidates receiving the highest vote as the elected commissioners of the district. Beginning with the election in 1982, the terms of the three commissioners who receive the highest number of votes shall expire December 31, 1985, and an election shall be held on the Tuesday following the first Monday in November 1985 to elect their successors. The terms of the remaining two commissioners shall expire December 31, 1983, and an election shall be held on the Tuesday following the first Monday in November 1983 to elect their successors. Beginning with the election in 1983, all terms shall be for four years and such terms shall commence on the first day of January in the year following the election. The election shall be held on the Tuesday following the first Monday of each of the odd years. Any vacancy occurring by reason of death, resignation, or otherwise, shall be filled by the Governor, upon recommendation by the members of the House of Representatives in Greenville County from Districts 17, 18, and in Spartanburg County, from District 38 for the remainder of the unexpired term. Upon any commissioner moving out of the area of the district, his position shall become vacant. During the period between the initial election of commissioners, and December 31, 1982, the Gowensville Fire District shall continue as provided by Greenville County Council Ordinance No. 644, adopted September 19, 1978.

Any resident qualified elector of the district may be a candidate for the position of commissioner by filing with the election commission of the county in which he resides at least thirty days prior to the election.