Ala. Code § 45-37A-52.01
The filing of a petition signed by 10 percent or more of the qualified electors of such city, asking that the proposition of the adoption of the mayor-council form of government for such city be submitted to the qualified voters thereof, with the judge of probate of the county in which such city is located, shall mandatorily require an election to be held as herein provided. Whenever such a petition purporting to be signed by at least 10 percent of the qualified voters of such city shall be presented to such judge of probate, he or she shall examine such petition and determine whether or not the same is signed by at least 10 percent of the qualified voters of such city, and if such petition is signed by the requisite number of voters to require such an election, he or she shall within 15 days from the receipt of such petition certify such fact to the mayor or other chief executive officer of the city for which such election is so petitioned, and the certificate of the judge of probate as to the sufficiency of the petition shall be final.
Ala. Code § 45-37A-52.01 (1975)