(1) The qualifications of any person who requests to be registered shall be determined in the first instance by the registering official from the evidence before him. If the registering official determines that such person is not qualified, he shall refuse to register the person.
(2)  A person refused registration under subsection (1) of this section may make application to the county clerk for a hearing on his qualifications. Not more than ten (10) days after the date he receives such application, the county clerk shall hold a hearing on the qualifications of the applicant and shall notify the applicant of the place and time of such hearing. At such hearing the applicant may present evidence as to his qualifications, provided that no hearing shall be held subsequent to any election which is held within said ten (10) day period. If the county clerk determines that the applicant is qualified, the county clerk shall register the applicant immediately upon the conclusion of the hearing.