But the industry claims the city cannot arbitrarily redraw permits for previously drilled wells where fracking could now be used to increase their productivity. This year, some Denton residents sued EagleRidge Energy, a Dallas-based company, for drilling within 300 feet of their homes. The company argues that it was merely redrilling wells that were given permits years before the housing was built, and that it has vested rights.

With that battle still in the courts, the antifracking forces gathered more than 1,900 signatures to put on the Nov. 4 ballot their proposal to end fracking in Denton once and for all. They argue that more than 10,000 acres of land in the city may still be drilled and fracked since those parcels received drilling permits before the 2013 municipal ordinance was enacted.

Chris Faulkner, chief executive of Breitling Energy, who has testified before Denton’s City Council opposing the ban, blamed EagleRidge for inciting much of the Denton rebellion, saying the company “is doing whatever they want to do without considering the impact on the city and the residents.” EagleRidge did not respond to a request for comment.

But Bobby Jones, a leader of the pro-fracking forces, defended EagleRidge, which drilled two wells on his ranch, saying, “I slept with my windows open while they were drilling.” One well site was a few hundred feet from his house, and his family has suffered no health problems, he said, adding that fracking opponents “are using the benzene as a scare tactic.”

Still, Mr. Jones acknowledged his side’s uphill fight. “We’re three years behind,” he said.

In the end, the fight will not end with the referendum. The producers say only state regulators are empowered to put restrictions on production, but fracking opponents here say they will not be intimidated by lawsuits, which have already begun. Republicans in the state legislature are already preparing legislation to prohibit local governments from banning fracking.

“They’re going to kill us with lawsuits one way or another,” said Cathy McMullen, the dogged home care nurse, as she drove her Prius around town distributing lawn signs the other day. “We might as well go down fighting.”