Whether a voter referendum reducing the number of seats on the Adams Township board of supervisors is placed on the Nov. 4 ballot apparently will be decided in court.

The Butler County commissioners, serving as the county election board, this morning approved putting the referendum on the ballot for township voters.

It would cut the number of supervisors to three from five.

Commissioner Bill McCarrier, board chairman, said the referendum must be placed on the ballot under state law.

However, township officials have stated they would challenge it in court.

A similar referendum that was passed by Center Township voters was overturned by a county judge in 2013 because it would have ended the supervisors’ terms prematurely.