§ 8-5-15a — Special municipal elections not otherwise provided for

In any instance where there is no statutory, charter or lawful ordinance provision authorizing, relating to or requiring a special municipal election, the governing body of a municipality shall, upon receipt of a proper petition, as hereinafter in this section specified, requesting a special municipal election for a proper governmental purpose, as specified in such petition, forthwith adopt a resolution or ordinance, where procedure by ordinance is required, calling and providing for a special municipal election for such purpose. Such petition must bear the signatures, written in their own handwriting, of not less than twenty percent of the qualified voters of such municipality. Such special municipal election shall be held, superintended and conducted, and the results thereof ascertained, certified, returned and canvassed in the same manner and by the same individuals as elections for municipal officers. In any instance where there is a statutory, charter or lawful ordinance provision authorizing, relating to or requiring a special municipal election upon petition or otherwise, the provisions of this section shall not be applicable and such statutory, charter or lawful ordinance provision shall govern and control in all respects, including without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the requisites of any petition for such special municipal election.