Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, no ordinance of a local governing authority affecting the qualifications of a candidate for an office shall become effective until such ordinance has been duly adopted, promulgated, and if necessary, has been precleared pursuant to the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and no such ordinance of a local governing authority shall become effective during the period between the opening of the qualifying period and the election of a candidate to such office; however, a local governing authority may provide that such ordinance is effective on a date subsequent to the election of a candidate to such office.

Acts 1997, No. 140, §1; Acts 2003, No. 1022, §1.