RALEIGH -- A bill that will allow residents to halt forced annexations by voting on them is now law. Gov. Perdue had until late Sunday to either sign or veto the bill, or let it become law without her signature.

In a statement she said the bill has shortcomings and that it should be reconsidered by lawmakers.

The bill was in response to a court ruling in March that struck down previous legislation that would have blocked forced annexations.