The governing body shall, upon the presentation of a petition pursuant to § 9-20-6, submit the question to the electors at the next annual municipal election or the next general election, whichever is earlier. Pending the election, the governing body may take no action with respect to the subject matter of the petition that would alter or preempt the effect of the proposed petition. However, the governing body may expedite the date of the election by ordering, within ten days of receiving the petition, a special election to be held on a Tuesday not less than thirty days from the date of the order of the governing body.

Source: SL 1899, ch 94, § 2; RPolC 1903, § 1215; SL 1913, ch 119, § 39; RC 1919, § 6254; SDC 1939, § 45.1011; SL 1947, ch 198; SL 1977, ch 68, § 8; SL 1980, ch 67, § 2; SL 1983, ch 53, § 6; SL 1995, ch 47, § 1.