Whenever 100 or more taxpaying electors of any city, having a population of not less than 5,000, shall file a petition with the Mayor asking that an annual tax on real and personal property be levied for the purpose of maintaining and operating a public city library and shall specify a rate of taxation not to exceed five mills on the dollar, the question as to whether such tax shall be levied shall be submitted to the qualified electors of such city at a general or special election. Such petition must be filed at least thirty days prior to the election at which it will be submitted to the voters. The ballot shall be in substantially the following form:

For a ________ mill tax on real and personal property to be used for maintenance and operation of a public city library.

Against a ________ mill tax on real and personal property to be used for maintenance and operation of a public city library. [As amended by Const. Amend. 72, § 1.]