Notwithstanding any provision of this chapter to the contrary, an employer of elected officials otherwise excluded from the definition of employee as provided in section 97C.2, may, but is not required to, choose to provide benefits to those elected officials as employees as provided by this chapter. Alternatively, the governor may authorize a statewide referendum of the appointed and elected officials of the state and its political subdivisions on the question of whether to include in or exclude from the definition of employee all such positions. This choice shall be reflected in the federal-state agreement described in section 97C.3, and, if necessary, in this chapter. An employer who is providing benefits to elected officials otherwise excluded from the definition of employee prior to July 1, 2002, shall not be deemed to be in an erroneous reporting situation, and corrections for prior federal social security withholdings shall not be required. The implementation of this section shall be subject to the approval of the federal social security administration.