MARVIN MANDEL, Governor

3737

the [forty-five] 45 day period following the final
enactment of the ordinance, a number of persons equal to
not less than [twenty per centum (20%)] 20 PERCENT of the
persons who reside in the area and who are owners of not
less than [twenty per centum (20%)] 20 PERCENT of the
assessed valuation of the real property located in the
area to be included or annexed, and who are registered as
voters in county elections, may in writing petition the
chairman of the County Commissioners of Prince George's
County for a referendum on the ordinance. Upon the
presentation of a petition, [to] the [said] chairman[,
he) shall cause to be made a verification of the
signatures thereon and shall ascertain that the persons
signing the petition represent at least [twenty per
centum (20%)] 20 PERCENT of the assessed valuation of the
real property located in the area to be annexed, and are
registered voters in county elections. Upon verifying
that the requirements of this subsection have been
complied with, the chairman of the County Commissioners
shall suspend the effectiveness of the ordinance
contingent upon the results of the referendum.

(f)     Notice and hearing for referendum. The
chairman of the County Commissioners of Prince George's
County shall set a date for the referendum on the
ordinance which shall be not less than [fifteen (15)] 15
days and not more than [ninety (90)] 90 days from the
publication of notices therefor. [Such] THESE notices
shall be published twice at not less than weekly
intervals in a newspaper or newspapers of general
circulation in the area to be annexed. The notices shall
specify the time and place or places at which the
referendum will be held. The place or places shall be
within the limits of the area to be annexed for the
referendum within that area.

(g)     Referendum. On the date and at the places
specified, the ordinance proposing a change in the
boundaries of the Regional District shall be submitted to
a referendum election of the qualified voters who reside
in the area to be annexed and who are registered as
voters in county elections. The ballots or the voting
machines, as the case may be, shall contain a summary of
the ordinance with suitable provisions for the voter to
indicate a choice for or against it.

(h) Definitions for section. For the purposes of
this section, in any instance in which there are fewer
than [twenty] 20 persons living in any area proposed to
be annexed who are eligible to sign a petition and to
participate in a referendum election under the provisions
of this section, any person owning real property in the
area proposed to be annexed (the word "person" here
including an association, the two or more joint owners of