The provisions of this act shall apply only to townships which do not have a fire department at the time this act takes effect and which are located in counties having a population of more than one hundred fifty thousand and have an assessed tangible valuation of less than one hundred fifty million dollars: Provided, That the provisions of this act shall not apply to any such township unless and until the question of the adoption of the provisions of this act has been submitted to the qualified electors of such township at a special election called for that purpose or at any regular election and the majority of those voting on the question shall have declared by their votes to be in favor of the adoption of the provisions of this act. The township board shall have the power to call such election and submit such question to the electors of the township boards and fire departments of such townships.