(a) If a voter desires that this city (or town) shall declare by popular referendum that a shortage of rental housing accommodations exists which requires the continuance of federal rent control in this city (or town) after December thirty-first, nineteen hundred and fifty, and until the close of June thirteenth, nineteen hundred and fifty-one, in accordance with the provisions of the Housing and Rent Act of 1950, he will vote "YES" on said question. (b) If he desires that federal rent control should cease to be in effect in this city (or town) at the close of December thirty-first, nineteen hundred and fifty, he will vote "NO" on said question. If a majority of the votes cast in any such city or town in answer to said question is in the affirmative, such city or town shall be deemed to have declared by popular referendum, pursuant to the Housing and Rent Act of 1950, that a shortage of rental accommodations exists which requires the continuance of federal rent control in such city or town after December thirty-first, nineteen hundred and fifty, and until the close of June thirtieth, nineteen hundred and fifty-one, in accordance with the provisions of said act. If a majority of votes cast in any such city or town in answer to said question is not in the affirmative, such city or town shall be deemed not to have declared by popular referendum, pursuant to the Housing and Rent Act of 1950, that a shortage of rental accommodations exists which require the continuance of federal rent control in such city or town after December thirty-first, nineteen hundred and fifty.