Notwithstanding Section 20527, or any other provision of law to the contrary, in the Jackson Valley Irrigation District every owner of real property within the district, but no others, may vote at elections for directors or otherwise. Such owners need not be residents of the district in order to qualify as voters. The last equalized assessment book of the district is conclusive evidence of the ownership of real property so owned, except that in the event that an assessment for a district shall not have been made and levied for the year in which the election is held or an equalized assessment book prepared, the last equalized county assessment roll shall be used in lieu of the assessment book of the district. Where land is owned in joint tenancy, tenancy in common, or any other multiple ownership, the owners of such land shall designate in writing which one of the owners shall be deemed the owner of such land for purposes of qualifying as a voter.

The legal representative of a corporation or estate owning real property may vote on behalf of such corporation or estate. As used in this section, legal representative means an official of a corporation owning real property, and means a guardian, conservator, executor, or administrator of the estate of the holder of title to real property who:

(a) Is appointed under the laws of this state.

(b) Is entitled to the possession of the estate’s real property.

(c) Is authorized by the appointing court to exercise the particular right, privilege, or immunity which he seeks to exercise.

Before a legal representative votes at a district election he shall present to the precinct board a certified copy of his authority which shall be kept and filed with the returns of the election.

(Amended by Stats. 1979, Ch. 730.)