If a petition is signed by registered voters, the executive officer shall cause the names of the signers on the petition to be compared with the voters’ register in the office of the county clerk or registrar of voters and ascertain both of the following:

(a) The number of registered voters in the affected territory.

(b) The number of qualified signers appearing upon the petition.

(Added by Stats. 1985, Ch. 541, Sec. 3. Effective September 9, 1985. Operative January 1, 1986, by Sec. 5 of Ch. 541.)