Prior to the election, the commission shall appoint precinct boards and fix the places of holding the election, as required in the city charter. The commission shall cause notice of the election to be published in one or more newspapers published in the city, or if none is published therein, then by posting notices for at least 20 days before election. The election shall be conducted as required by the city charter for the election of officers, except that it shall not be necessary to use printed registers. If a voter is challenged on the ground that his or her name does not appear on the register of the county, it shall be sufficient for him or her to state, under oath, that he or she believes his or her name is upon the register, and if no other evidence is offered, the precinct board shall accept that statement as true.