15-11-301. Forms of government authorized; procedure for change.

(a) An incorporated city or town may adopt the commission or city manager form of government or other lawful form of government as follows:

(i) An incorporated city or town shall submit to the vote of the electors the question whether to change the form of government on the petition of qualified electors residing in the city or town equal in number to fifteen percent (15%) of the number of electors voting at the last preceding municipal general election;

(ii) A petition for a special election on the question of changing the form of government shall be filed with the city clerk at least one hundred twenty (120) days prior to the next regular municipal primary election;

(iii) A petition for change of the form of government may not be filed within four (4) years after the existing form of government was established;

(iv) When such petition is filed and determined by the city clerk to be legally sufficient, the mayor shall proclaim a special election on the question stating the present form of government, the proposed new form of government, and the time of the election. The proclamation shall be published at least once a week for four (4) consecutive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation in the city or town;

(v) The special election on the question of change of the form of government shall be held not less than thirty (30) days nor more than sixty (60) days after the petition is filed;

(vi) Such special election shall be conducted in the manner prescribed by W.S. 22-23-801 through 22-23-809;

(vii) If the majority of votes cast are in favor of the proposed new form of government, the municipality shall at the next municipal primary and general elections nominate and elect officers under the new form of government. When the officers are elected and qualified, the municipality shall be governed by the new form of government;

(viii) Immediately after the special election on the question of change of form of government, the mayor shall certify the result of the election to the county clerk and the secretary of state.