(a) Not less than ten (10) days before the date fixed by the board of election commissioners for the holding of any of the elections herein provided for, the board shall appoint three (3) persons of lawful age who reside and own real estate in one (1) of the districts, whose light plant, water plant, or sewerage system is to be controlled and operated by the board of public utilities herein provided for, as judges to hold the election and two (2) persons possessing like qualifications as clerks of the election and shall designate the place in the city or town where the election shall be held.
(b) Should any judge or clerk appointed to hold any of the elections provided for herein fail to appear at the time for opening of the polls, a majority of the persons entitled to vote at the election then present at the polls may select some other person possessing the qualifications herein prescribed to serve as judge or clerk in his stead.