Not less than 30 days before the date of the election of delegates, the Governor, the Lieutenant Governor, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, or in case of incapacity of any one of them, the Secretary of State in his or her stead, shall appoint and forthwith announce the names of 28 candidates for delegates, such candidates being in their opinion representative citizens of Vermont. Fourteen of these candidates shall be persons who assent to the placing of their names on the ballots as "For Ratification," and 14 shall be persons who assent to the placing of their names on the ballot as "Against Ratification." One candidate for ratification and one candidate against ratification shall be appointed from each county in the State.