Code of Alabama 1979, Section 11-3A-6

Petition: A formal written document requesting a right or benefit from a person or group in authority. www.dictionary.com

The petition must be signed by 10 percent of the voters in the unincorporated areas of the county and must include the full legal names and addresses of all persons signing.  It must then be filed in the office of the judge of probate.  The judge of probate will verify within 60 days that all of the persons signing the petition are in fact qualified voters and legal residents of the unincorporated areas of the county.  The judge of probate will then forward the petition to the chairperson of the county commission.  Following receipt of the verified petition, the county commission will make preparations for the referendum on the issue at its next regularly scheduled meeting.