If the commission recommends the submission of the question of consolidation to the voters, the municipal clerk of each participating municipality shall cause the question of consolidation to be submitted to the registered voters of each participating municipality on the date for the next general or municipal election, whichever shall occur sooner. At that election, the question shall be submitted in the same manner as other public questions in each such municipality, and in the following form or such part thereof as shall be applicable:

“Shall (insert the names of the participating municipalities) be consolidated into a single municipality to be known as (insert name and type of municipality) and governed under (insert alternative a., b., c., d., or e. below, as may be appropriate)?”

(a. the present plan or form of government of (insert name of appropriate municipality) and (if appropriate) providing for a division of the municipality into (insert number) wards, with (insert number) (insert title of members of governing body) to be elected from each ward and (insert number) to be elected at large);

(b. a special charter to be enacted by the Legislature as recommended by the consolidation commission);

(c. the (insert name of plan) of the “Optional Municipal Charter Law,” providing for a division of the municipality into (insert number) wards, with (insert number) councilmen, (one to be elected from each ward and (insert number) to be elected at large));

(d. the commission form of government to be adopted pursuant to chapters 70 to 76 of Title 40 of the Revised Statutes (R.S. 40:70-1 et seq.)); or,

(e. the municipal manager form of government to be adopted pursuant to chapters 79 to 85 of Title 40 of the Revised Statutes (R.S. 40:79-1 et seq.)).

[ ] For Consolidation [ ] Against Consolidation

L.1977, c. 435, s. 25, eff. March 1, 1978.