(a) Notwithstanding the provisions of Code Section 36-9-2, a county governing authority shall not have the authority to demolish or to provide for the demolition of a county courthouse which was constructed prior to January 1, 1905, and which is listed in the National Register of Historic Places unless the question of whether or not to demolish the courthouse is submitted to the qualified voters of the county for approval or rejection in a referendum called for such purpose.

(b) The ballot in the referendum required by subsection (a) of this Code section shall have written or printed thereon the words:

"( ) YES Shall the demolition of the (Name_of_County) courthouse, as proposed by the governing authority ( ) NO of (Name_of_County), be approved?"

(c) A referendum held pursuant to this Code section shall be conducted only in conjunction with a general primary or general election and shall be conducted in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 2 of Title 21, the "Georgia Election Code."