When a majority of the legal voters of any territory, less than half of one congressional township, shall petition the county boards as provided in Section 1-2001, the said county boards may, in their discretion, order referenda to be held as herein provided; and in any case where referenda have been held under this Division, and the result has been adverse to the petitioners, it shall be in the discretion of the said boards to order another referendum, on a petition to transfer the same territory, within three years from the time of holding such former referendum.