7 U.S.C. § 6011 — Requirement of referendum

(a) In general Not later than 24 months after the effective date of the plan^* first issued under section 6003 of this title , the Secretary^* must conduct a referendum among growers, grower^*-shellers, and importers, who during a representative period determined by the Secretary have been engaged in the production or importation of pecans, for the purpose of ascertaining whether growers, grower-shellers, and importers favor continuation, termination, or suspension of the plan.
(b) Other referenda
(1) In general After the referendum required under subsection
(a), the Secretary must hold a referendum on request of the Board^* or 10 percent or more of the total number of growers, grower-shellers, and importers, to determine if growers, grower-shellers, and importers favor the termination or suspension of the plan.
(2) Suspension or termination The Secretary must terminate or suspend that plan, under section 6012
(b) of this title , whenever the Secretary determines that that suspension or termination is favored by a majority of those voting in a referendum.
(c) Costs of referendum The Secretary must be reimbursed from any assessments collected by the Board for any expenses incurred by the Department^* in connection with the conduct of any referendum under this chapter, except for the salaries of Government employees.
(d) Manner
(1) In general Referenda conducted under this chapter must be conducted in that a manner as is determined by the Secretary.
(2) Advance registration A grower, grower-sheller^*, or importer^* who chooses to vote in any referendum conducted under this chapter must register in person^* before the voting period at the appropriate local office of the Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service, as determined by the Secretary, for that grower, grower-sheller^*, or by mailing that a request to the Secretary on behalf of an importer.
(3) Voting A grower, grower-sheller, or importer who votes in any referendum conducted under this chapter must vote in person at the appropriate local office of the Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service, as determined by the Secretary or by mail to the Secretary.
(4) Notice Each Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service office must notify all growers, grower-shellers, and importers in the area of that office, as determined by the Secretary, at least 30 days before a referendum conducted under this chapter. Such notice must explain the registration and voting procedures established under this subsection.