(a) The purpose of the mandatory referendum for approval of new Class A facilities is to verify for the local community that the local infrastructure and environment are appropriate for a new Class A facility and to assure that the local community accepts the associated benefits and detriments of having a new Class A facility located in their county.
(b) Following receipt of a certificate of need from the Public Service Commission as required by 24-2-1c of this code, and local solid waste approval as required in 22C-4-6 of this code for a new Class A facility, the county commission shall cause a referendum to be placed on the ballot not less than 56 days before the next primary or general election:
(1) Such referendum is to determine whether it is the will of the voters of the county that a new Class A facility be constructed. Any election at which such question of locating a solid waste facility is voted upon shall be held at the voting precincts established for holding primary or general elections. All of the provisions of the general election laws, when not in conflict with the provisions of this article, apply to voting and elections hereunder, insofar as practicable.