Any city which shall have operated for more than six years under the provisions of sections 78.010 to 78.420 may abandon such organization hereunder, and accept the provisions of the general law of the state then applicable to the cities of its population, or if now organized under special charter, may resume said special charter by proceeding as follows: Upon the petition of not less than ten percent of the voters casting votes for governor in the last preceding general election of such city the following question shall be submitted: Shall the city of (name of city) abandon its organization under sections 78.010 to 78.420, and become a city under the general law governing cities of like population, or if now organized under special charter shall resume said special charter? If a majority of votes cast on the question be in favor of such question, the officers elected at the next election shall be those then prescribed by the general law of the state for cities of like population, and upon the qualification of such officers such city shall become a city under such general law of the state; but such change shall not in any manner or degree affect the property, right or liabilities of any nature of such city, but shall merely extend to such change in its form of government. The sufficiency of such petition shall be determined, the election ordered and conducted, and the results declared generally as provided by sections 78.260 to 78.290, insofar as the provisions thereof are applicable.