(a) The managers, inspectors, or other officers of any special election authorized to be held under and pursuant to this part shall be appointed, and such special election shall be held, in the same manner and by the same officers as a regular election for county officers, under the general election laws of the state; provided, that if such special election is held at the time for holding such regular election in the county, then the election officers of such regular election shall conduct such special election at the same time as such regular election, and for such services they shall receive no compensation other than that allowed them for the holding of such regular election. If such special election is held at some other time than that of holding such regular election in the county, then the aforesaid election officers shall receive the same pay as that for holding such regular election. All expenses for holding any such special election shall be paid out of the treasury of the county and, as provided in Section 45-41-141.11, may be paid or reimbursed out of any district fire protection fund established or to be established with respect to such district.

(b) The aforesaid election officers for such special election shall conduct and make return thereof in the district for which such special election has been called by the commission; and, in the event such election officers fail to appear at the polling place to which they are appointed, the officer or officers who do appear shall appoint someone to take their places. Unless such special election is held at the time for holding a regular election for county officers, all such election officers shall be residents of such district and qualified electors of the beat or precinct in which they reside. The sheriff shall notify all such election officers of their appointment. The polls shall be opened and closed on the day of such special election by the managers thereof, at the times provided therefor under the general laws of the state. Immediately upon closing the polls, such managers shall ascertain the results of the special election at their respective voting places, make returns of the same to the commission, and deliver the ballot box containing the returns, with the poll lists, tally sheets and other necessary papers, to the returning officers of such voting places, who shall deliver the same to the commission on or before noon at the second day after the day of such special election.