(1) Proceedings for consolidation of 2 or more townships within the same county may be initiated by filing a petition with the county board of commissioners signed by a number of registered electors who are residents of the area to be consolidated equal to at least 5% of the total population of each of the affected townships. A petition under this section shall name the townships proposed to be consolidated, state the name of the consolidated township, designate the maximum initial authorized millage levy if the proposed consolidated township is to be incorporated as a charter township, and request that the county board of commissioners initiate proceedings necessary for consolidation under this act.

    (2) The county board of commissioners shall reject a petition for consolidation under this section if a proposition to consolidate the identical townships has been voted on within the 2 years immediately preceding the filing of the petition. This subsection does not prevent the consolidation of 2 or more townships that were included in a proposed consolidation voted on in the preceding 2 years, with or without additional territory, if the prior proposition included 1 or more townships that are not included in the later proposition.

    (3) If the county board of commissioners finds that a petition does not conform to this act, the county board shall return the petition to the person from whom it was received together with a certified copy of the county board’s resolution rejecting the petition. If the county board of commissioners finds that the petition is proper, the county board shall submit the proposition to a vote of the electors of the affected townships and shall specify a date for the election.