(1) A proposed city charter and each amendment to an existing city charter before submission to the electors, shall be published as the charter commission or the legislative body may prescribe. A proposed charter may be submitted to the qualified electors as an entirety in a single proposition substantially as follows: “Shall the city charter proposed by the city charter commission be adopted?” Adoption of a proposed charter shall require a simple majority of those voting on the question.

  (2) When submitting a proposed charter, separate propositions, on specific charter provisions may also be submitted to the qualified electors. In such case, all propositions shall be in such form as are approved by the attorney general as to clarity and impartiality. If the proposed charter and any of the separate propositions are adopted, the new charter shall take effect with the alternatives or additions contemplated by such separate propositions as are adopted. Adoption of a separate proposition which is an alternative to a provision contained in the proposed charter shall require approval by a majority of those voting on the separate proposition and also a majority of those voting on the proposed charter; otherwise the adoption of a separate proposition shall require a simple majority. The ballot shall contain voting instructions and a brief explanation of the effect of each of the propositions.