The clerk of the circuit court, the probate judge and the sheriff of the county in which an election is being held under this article shall constitute a board to canvass the returns and declare the results of such election, and they shall meet at the courthouse of the county in which the election is to be held on the Saturday following the holding of said election and canvass the returns and declare the result of said election, and in case either of the three should be absent, the two present shall act.