9-281. Adoption procedure; board of freeholders;
election
A. A city containing a population of more than three thousand five hundred
inhabitants may frame a charter for its own government consistent with the constitution
and the laws of the state, by causing a board of freeholders, composed of fourteen
qualified electors of the city, to be elected at large by the qualified electors thereof,
at a general or special election.
B. An election of the board of freeholders may be called at any time by the
legislative authority of the city. The election shall be called by the chief executive
officer of the city within ten days after there has been filed with him a petition
demanding the election, signed by a number of qualified electors residing within the city
equal to twenty-five per cent of the total number of votes cast at the next preceding
general municipal election.
C. The election shall be held not later than thirty days after the call
therefor. At the election a vote shall be taken upon the question whether further
proceedings toward adopting a charter shall be had in pursuance to the call, and unless a
majority of the qualified electors voting thereon shall vote to proceed further, no
further proceedings shall be had.
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