Election of delegates.

(1) The delegates composing the convention shall be elected at a special election which shall be held in each county of this state on a date to be fixed by the Governor, not less than 5 months and not more than 10 months after the date of the proposal by the Congress. The Governor shall issue his or her call for such election at least 45 days prior to the date thereof, which, as soon as issued, shall be published by the Department of State at least one time, in a newspaper of general circulation in each county. Such election shall be conducted, except as herein specified, in all respects in the manner and form prescribed by the laws of this state for holding general elections.

(2) All electors who were duly qualified to vote in the last preceding general election shall be qualified to vote in such special election without further registration. The registration books in each county shall be opened 10 days after the Governor shall issue his or her call and shall remain open, in each county, until and including the 10th day before the election, during which time all persons who have not been registered, though entitled to be, or who shall have become entitled to registration since the last general election, shall be permitted to register. During the time in which the registration books are required to be kept open by this section, any registered voter shall be permitted to qualify to vote in such election.

(3) Provided, that if any general election be held in this state within 1 year after the date of the proposal by the Congress, such delegates shall be chosen at such general election and all electors qualified to vote in such general election shall be qualified to vote for such delegates, unless the Governor, by proclamation, shall require such delegates to be chosen at a special election, in which event they shall be elected as herein provided.