(1) The board of state canvassers shall assign a number designation to appear on the ballot for each question to be submitted on a statewide basis. The designation must be assigned not less than 60 days before the election.

    (2) The number designation under subsection (1) must consist of 5 or 6 digits. The first 4 digits must be the year of the election. The next digit or, if necessary, 2 digits must indicate the chronological order in which the question was filed to appear on the ballot. For a primary or special election, a -P or -S, as applicable, must be added to the end of the number designation. For the purposes of this subsection, a question must be considered to be filed to appear on the ballot as follows:

    (a) A question of a general revision of the constitution under section 3 of article XII of the state constitution of 1963 must be considered to be the first question filed to appear on the ballot for those elections at which a question of a general revision of the constitution will appear on the ballot.

    (b) A proposed constitution or amendment adopted by a convention under section 3 of article XII of the state constitution of 1963 must be considered to be filed to appear on the ballot upon the final adjournment of the convention that proposed the constitution or amendment.

    (c) An amendment to the constitution proposed under section 2 of article XII of the state constitution of 1963, a law initiated under section 9 of article II of the state constitution of 1963, or a referendum invoked under section 9 of article II of the state constitution of 1963 must be considered to be filed to appear on the ballot when the petition is filed with the secretary of state.

    (d) An amendment to the constitution proposed under section 1 of article XII of the state constitution of 1963 must be considered to be filed to appear on the ballot when the joint resolution proposing the amendment is filed with the secretary of state.

    (e) A referendum under section 34 of article IV of the state constitution of 1963 must be considered to be filed to appear on the ballot when the legislation is filed with the secretary of state.