§7A-6-7. Subsequent joining of county to consolidated county.

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

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

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

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

(c) If the governing body of the consolidated county votes to accept the county, then the county 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 (name of consolidated county)

[ ] Against (name of consolidated county)

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