Pennsylvania Statutes Title 16 Pa.C.S.A. Counties § 12705. Establishment of office of controller in counties of sixth, seventh and eighth classes

(a) Authorization.--The office of controller may be established in a county of the sixth, seventh and eighth class by the affirmative vote of a majority of the electors of the county voting on the question submitted, in accordance with this section, at the general election when the auditor of the county is in the third year of the auditor's term.

(b) Petition.--The question shall be submitted to the electors of the county when county electors file a petition containing signatures equal to at least 5% of the highest vote cast for an office in the county at the last preceding general election. The petition shall be filed with the county commissioners no less than 60 days before the day of the general election when the question is to be submitted. If the petition is sufficiently signed under this subsection, the county commissioners shall cause the question to be submitted in the manner provided by the act of June 3, 1937 (P.L. 1333, No. 320),  1 known as the Pennsylvania Election Code.

(c) Establishment.--If the majority of electors voting on the question vote in favor of establishing the office of county controller, the office shall be established. At the next municipal election and every four years thereafter, the electors of the county shall choose a resident of the county for the office of controller as a replacement for the county auditors.