15-1-417. Annexing contiguous cities or towns; procedure.

(a) When any city or town desires to be annexed to another contiguous city or town, their governing bodies shall meet to determine the terms and conditions on which the proposed annexation might be made. If the governing body of each city or town approves of the terms and conditions proposed, the governing body of the city or town to be annexed shall circulate a written petition requesting annexation subject to the terms and conditions set forth in W.S. 15-1-403 among the city's or town's qualified registered electors. Once the petition is signed by at least a majority of the qualified registered electors residing in the city or town, as determined by the records of the county clerk, it shall be filed with the clerk of the annexing city or town.

(b) No signature on the petition is valid if it is dated more than one hundred eighty (180) days prior to the date of filing the petition for annexation with the clerk. No person signing a petition for annexation may withdraw his signature from the petition after it has been filed with the clerk.

(c) The clerk shall refer the petition to the governing body which shall then, without undue delay, take appropriate steps to comply with W.S. 15-1-402, 15-1-404 and 15-1-405 and determine if the petition is in compliance with subsection (a) of this section.

(d) If the petition is not in minimum compliance, the governing body of the city or town desiring to be annexed shall be notified that no further action will be taken on the petition until compliance is made.

(e) As an alternative to the circulation of the petition as provided by subsection (a) of this section the town to be annexed may hold a special election on the question in accordance with W.S. 22-23-801 through 22-23-809.