76-15-208. Administration of hearings and referenda. (1) The department shall pay all expenses for the issuance of the notices and the conduct of the hearings and referenda and shall supervise the conduct of the hearings and referenda. It shall adopt appropriate rules governing the conduct of the hearings and referenda and providing for the registration prior to the date of the referendum of all eligible voters or prescribing some other appropriate procedure for the determination of those eligible as voters in the referendum.

(2) No informalities in the conduct of the referendum or in any matters relating thereto shall invalidate the referendum or the result thereof if notice thereof has been given substantially as herein provided and the referendum has been fairly conducted.