Section 29.26.180. Referendum election.

   (a) Unless the ordinance or resolution is repealed, when a petition seeks a referendum vote, the clerk shall submit the matter to the voters at the next regular election or, if already scheduled, special election occurring not sooner than 60 days after certification of the petition. If no election is scheduled to occur within 75 days after certification of a petition and the governing body determines it is in the best interest of the municipality, the governing body may by ordinance order a special election to be held on the matter before the next election that is already scheduled, but not sooner than 60 days after certification of the petition.
   (b) If a petition is certified before the effective date of the matter referred, the ordinance or resolution against which the petition is filed shall be suspended pending the referendum vote. During the period of suspension, the governing body may not enact an ordinance or resolution substantially similar to the suspended measure.
   (c) If the governing body repeals the ordinance or resolution before the referendum election, the petition is void and the matter referred shall not be placed before the voters.
   (d) If a majority vote favors the repeal of the matter referred, it is repealed.  Otherwise, the matter referred remains in effect or, if it has been suspended, becomes effective on certification of the election.

Notes

History

(Sec. 9 ch 74 SLA 1985; am Sec. 3 ch 3 SLA 2005)