§7A-5-8. Subsequent joining of municipality to consolidated municipality.

(a) After a consolidated municipality has been in existence for at least one year, a municipality may request to join the consolidated municipality by submitting:

(1) A petition signed by at least fifteen percent of the qualified voters in the municipality; or

(2) A resolution by the governing body of the municipality.

(b) Within thirty days of receipt of the petition or resolution, the governing body of the consolidated municipality shall vote to accept or reject the municipality requesting to join.

(c) If the governing body of the consolidated municipality votes to accept the municipality, then the municipality shall hold an election on consolidation at the next primary or general election in accordance with applicable election laws and section two of this article.

(d) The ballots for the election on consolidation shall be as follows:

[ ] For

[ ] Against

(e) If at least fifty-five percent of the legal votes cast by the qualified voters of the municipality approve consolidation, then consolidation becomes effective pursuant to the charter.

(f) If consolidation is not approved by at least fifty-five percent of the legal votes cast by the qualified voters of the municipality, then the consolidation is defeated and cannot be voted upon for one year.