(1) Unless the constitution requires otherwise, an election on the question of changing the form of local government, charter, or consolidation plan may not be conducted again for 3 years.
(2) For the purposes of this section, general election dates are considered to be 1 year apart and may be used in computing the 3-year moratorium. An election on the question of changing an alternative form of a unit of local government may not be challenged as failing to conform with the moratorium provisions of this section because 3 full calendar years may not have elapsed.