(a) Whenever a petition is filed under section 161 of this title, the town clerk shall print, at least two weeks before the annual or special meeting, blank ballots for the votes provided for in section 161 of this title in any color except yellow. The ballots shall be printed in a quantity equal to not less than one and one-tenth times the number of registered voters at the last preceding general election, as shown by the checklist.

(b) Upon each ballot shall be endorsed the words: "OFFICIAL BALLOT" followed by the name of the town in which it is to be used and the date of the election. The town clerk is authorized to use regular ballots for the requisite number of sample ballots by adding in type or print on the front of each ballot, the words: "SAMPLE BALLOT."  (Amended 1967, No. 271 (Adj. Sess.), § 3, eff. date, see note set out below; 1977, No. 68, § 2; 1979, No. 200 (Adj. Sess.), § 117; 2017, No. 83, § 14.)