The form of petition shall be substantially as that required by state law for state and county officers, except for references to political parties. Official petition forms shall be prepared and furnished by the clerk. Before the clerk shall furnish any nomination petitions to any person, he shall enter thereon in ink the name of the person desiring to become a candidate for office, or the person in whose behalf the petition is to be circulated and the name of the office for which he is to be a candidate.