ARTICLE 5. MUNICIPAL CONSOLIDATION ELECTION.

§7A-5-1. Expenses for election.

The governing body of each affected municipality is responsible for the expenses of holding an election on the question of municipal consolidation.

§7A-5-2. Notice for election.

(a) At least sixty days prior to the election on the question of municipal consolidation, the governing body of each affected municipality shall make copies of the proposed charter available to the public.

(b) At least fourteen days prior to the election on the question of municipal consolidation, the governing bodies of the affected municipalities shall publish the proposed charter and provide notice of the election, as a Class II legal advertisement, in a newspaper of general circulation in the affected areas. The affected municipalities may share the expense of publication.

§7A-5-3. Election and ballots for municipal consolidation.

(a) After receiving the proposed charter from the municipal charter review committee, the governing bodies of the affected municipalities shall hold an election on the question of consolidation at the next primary or general election in accordance with applicable election laws and section two of this article.

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

[ ] For

[ ] Against

§7A-5-4. Approval of municipal consolidation and charter.

If at least fifty-five percent of the legal votes cast by the qualified voters of each of the affected municipalities approve consolidation, then consolidation becomes effective pursuant to the charter.

§7A-5-5. Rejection of charter and reconsideration process.

(a) If less than fifty-five percent of the legal votes cast by the qualified voters of any of the affected municipalities approve consolidation, then consolidation is defeated. The charter review committee may reconvene for up to one year to adopt a second proposed charter.

(b) When the second proposed charter is adopted by the municipal charter review committee, then the governing bodies of the affected municipalities shall hold another election on the second proposed charter at the next primary or general election in accordance with applicable election laws and section two of this article.

(c) The ballots for the election on the second proposed charter shall be as follows:

[ ] For

[ ] Against

(d) If the second proposed charter is not approved by at least fifty-five percent of the legal votes cast by the qualified voters of the affected municipalities, then the proposed consolidation is defeated. A new municipal charter review committee cannot be established for at least two years after the second proposed charter is defeated.

§7A-5-6. Filing charter.

After the charter has been approved by at least fifty-five percent of the legal votes cast by the qualified voters of the affected municipalities, the charter shall be filed with the Secretary of State and recorded in the applicable county clerk's office.

§7A-5-7. Constitutional consideration.

In preparing the charter, municipalities with excess levies or general obligation bond indebtedness shall fully comply with section nine, article X of the Constitution.

§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.