ARTICLE 6. ELECTIONS ON COUNTY CONSOLIDATION.

§7A-6-1. Expenses for election.

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

§7A-6-2. Notice for election.

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

(b) At least fourteen days prior to the election on the question of county consolidation, the governing bodies of the affected counties 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 area. The affected counties may share the expense of publication.

§7A-6-3. Election and ballots for county consolidation.

(a) After receiving the proposed charter from the county charter review committee, the governing bodies of the affected counties 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-6-4. Approval of county consolidation and charter.

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

§7A-6-5. 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 counties approve consolidation, then consolidation is defeated. The county 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 county charter review committee, then the governing bodies of the affected counties 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 counties, then the proposed consolidation is defeated. A new county charter review committee cannot be established for at least two years after the second proposed charter is defeated.

§7A-6-6. 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 counties, the charter shall be filed with the Secretary of State and recorded in all of the applicable county clerk's offices.

§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.