The provisions of sections 40:20-2 to 40:20-19 of this title shall remain inoperative in any county of the first class until assented to by a majority of the legal voters thereof voting for and against the same, at an election to be held in such county as hereinafter in sections 40:20-8 to 40:20-18 of this title provided.
N.J.S. § 40:20-7