Except for propositions to amend the constitution, when a proposition or question is to be submitted to the voters of the state or any part thereof, a separate ballot shall be provided by the county election officers except that when such proposition or question is to be submitted at an election conducted at the time of the holding of an election of officers such proposition may be printed on the ballot for the election of such officers. The secretary of state shall prescribe the ballot format but the ballot shall substantially comply with the requirements for ballots for election of officers insofar as such requirements are applicable and the provisions of this section. On the ballot there shall be printed the proposition or question to be voted on. Each proposition or question shall be preceded by the words, “Shall the following be adopted?” If there is more than one proposition or question to be voted on, the different propositions or questions shall be separately numbered and printed, and be separated by a broad solid line 1/8th inch wide or by double lines approximately 1/8th inch apart.

Opposite and after each proposition and question shall be printed two squares, one above the other. To the right of the upper one of the squares shall be printed the word “Yes,” and to the right of the lower one of the squares shall be printed the word “No.” Across the entire width of the ballot, at the top, shall be printed the following instructions: “To vote in favor of any question submitted upon this ballot, make a cross or check mark in the square to the left of the word ‘Yes’; to vote against it, make a cross or check mark in the square to the left of the word ‘No’.” On the back of each such ballot shall be printed, in addition to other required matters, the words “questions submitted.” County election officers shall cause to be printed on the outside of question submitted ballots “Ballot No.________” with the blank filled with a number to aid in distinguishing such ballots when more than one question submitted ballot is voted upon at a voting place.