What action must the Governing Body take within 20 days upon receiving a petition for a referendum?

The action that the Governing Body must take within 20 days upon receiving a petition for a referendum is to repeal the ordinance in question. In New Jersey, when a petition is submitted that meets the required number of signatures, it mandates the governing body to act. If the governing body decides not to submit the ordinance directly to the voters, they have the option to repeal it, effectively halting its implementation. This action respects the democratic process by allowing the public to weigh in on significant issues instead of allowing potentially unpopular legislation to remain in force without the possibility of direct voter input.

The need for the governing body to act swiftly reinforces the importance of the referendum process, ensuring that citizens have a timely opportunity to express their views on specific legislation that affects them. By repealing the ordinance, the governing body acknowledges the petition's legitimacy and the public's desire to potentially overturn an enactment they opposed.