40-12-08. Petition to refer ordinance - Suspension of ordinance - Requirements of petition

40-12-08. Petition to refer ordinance - Suspension of ordinance - Requirements of petition. An ordinance which has been adopted by the governing body of a municipality may be referred to the qualified electors of the municipality by a petition protesting against such ordinance. Such petition shall be signed by qualified electors of the municipality equal to at least ten percent of the entire vote cast for all candidates for executive officer of the municipality at the preceding regular municipal election and shall be presented to the governing body of the municipality within ten days and before four p.m. on the tenth day after the ordinance described in the petition became effective. If a petition is mailed to the governing body of the municipality, it shall be in the possession of such body before four p.m. on the tenth day after the ordinance became effective. Unless the ordinance protested against was passed by a four-fifths vote of the members of the governing body of the municipality for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, and safety and contains a statement of its urgency, it shall be suspended upon the filing of the petition. The petition provided for in this section shall be in all respects in accordance with the provisions of sections 40-12-02, 40-12-03, and 40-12-04, except as to the number of signers required, and shall be examined and certified by the city auditor in all respects as provided in section 40-12-05.