N.Y. General Municipal Law § 780: Conduct of referendum

§ 780. Conduct of referendum. 1. A referendum on a proposed

dissolution required by sections seven hundred seventy-seven or seven

hundred seventy-nine of this title shall be placed before the electors

in the local government entity to be dissolved at a special election to

be held not less than sixty or more than ninety days after the enactment

of a resolution calling for the referendum, provided, however, that in

cases where a town or village general election falls within such period,

the referendum question may be considered during a town or village

general election.

2. Notice of the referendum shall be given to the electors of the

local government entity to be dissolved by publication in a newspaper

having a general circulation within the boundaries of the entity at

least once a week for four consecutive weeks immediately prior to the

referendum. The notice shall include, but not be limited to:

(a) a summary of the contents of the resolution and dissolution plan

or petition for dissolution, as the case may be;

(b) a statement as to where may be examined copies of the resolution

and dissolution plan or petition for dissolution, as the case may be;

(c) the name of the local government entity to be dissolved and a

statement fully describing its territory;

(d) the time and place or places at which the referendum will be held;

and

(e) such other matters as may be necessary to call, provide for and

give notice of the referendum and to provide for the conduct thereof and

the canvass of the returns thereupon.

3. The referendum question placed before the electors of the local

government entity to be dissolved shall be in a form reading

substantially as follows:

"Shall (insert type and name of local government entity) be dissolved?

YES ____

NO ____"

4. In any referendum held pursuant to this title, the local government

entity to be dissolved shall bear the costs associated with the conduct

of such referendum.

5. In any referendum held pursuant to this title, and except as

otherwise specified herein, the referendum shall be conducted in the

same manner as other municipal elections or referendums for the local

government entity affected by the proposed dissolution.