Any portion of the territory of a highway lighting district may be withdrawn therefrom. Proceedings for the withdrawal of territory may be instituted by the board of supervisors upon its own motion, or by filing with the board of supervisors a petition signed by 50 or more freeholders or by a majority thereof if there are less than 100, within the territory desired to be withdrawn from the district requesting the withdrawal of the territory and describing the exterior boundaries of the territory so sought to be withdrawn.