If fifteen percent of the registered voters, based upon the total number of registered voters at the last preceding general election, of each of two or more adjoining counties of this state, petition the board of county commissioners of their respective counties for an election to determine the question of changing the boundary lines or of the consolidation of two or more counties, stating in such petition the names of the counties to be consolidated or boundary lines to be changed, such boards of county commissioners shall at their regular July meeting succeeding the presentation of such petitions provide that the question of consolidation of the counties or the changing of the boundary lines of such counties shall be submitted to a vote at the next general election succeeding the presentation of such petitions. The petitions shall be filed with the county auditors of such counties prior to the first day of the regular July meeting of the board of county commissioners.

The auditor of each county where any such petition has been filed shall transmit to the auditor of the other county or counties affected thereby a certified copy or copies of the petition or petitions filed in his county.

Source: SL 1893, ch 45, §§ 1, 2; RPolC 1903, §§ 775, 776; RC 1919, §§ 5755, 5756; SDC 1939, § 12.0301; SL 1987, ch 67, § 1.