§ 44:5-5 — Referendum; ballot, form

44:5-5. The question of the adoption of the provisions of sections 44:5-4 to 44:5-7 of this title shall not be submitted to the electors of a city until after a resolution is passed by the legislative body of the city directing the clerk to give public notice of the submission of the question. Upon the adoption of the resolution the clerk of the city shall cause notice of the submission of the question to be published in two newspapers circulating in the city for at least ten days before the holding of the election. The officer charged with the duty of preparing the official ballots for the election of municipal officers of the city at that election shall cause to be printed on each official ballot beneath the list of candidates thereon substantially the following: "To vote upon the public question printed below, if in favor thereof mark a cross (X) or plus (+) in the square at the left of the word YES, and if opposed thereto mark a cross (X) or plus (+) in the square at the left of the word NO. "Shall sections 44:5-4 to 44:5-7 of [ ] Yes the title Poor of the Revised Statutes, enabling the city to contract for the purpose of supporting, maintaining and caring for indigent patients in any [ ] No regularly incorporated hospital located in the city, be adopted?" If the voter makes an X or + mark in ink or pencil in the square at the left of the word "yes," it shall be counted as a vote in favor of the adoption of the sections. If the voter makes an X or + mark in ink or pencil in the square at the left of the word "no" it shall be counted as a vote against the adoption of the sections, and if no mark is made in either square at the left of either the word "yes" or "no" it shall not be counted as a vote for or against the acceptance of the sections. Amended 1994,c.77,s.24.