Federal Government Holds Democratic Election For Georgia's Special Onions
Published Date: 12/11/2025
Notice
Summary
Vidalia onion farmers in Georgia will vote from January 12 to February 3, 2026, on whether to keep the current rules that help manage their onion sales. Only growers who produced Vidalia onions in 2024 can vote. This vote decides if the marketing order stays in place, which affects how onions are handled and sold, helping farmers keep their business strong.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 1 costs, 2 mixed.
Referendum Jan 12–Feb 3, 2026
If you produced Vidalia onions in 2024, you may vote in a continuance referendum held January 12 through February 3, 2026 to decide whether the marketing order that regulates the handling of Vidalia onions grown in Georgia should continue. Only producers who grew Vidalia onions between January 1, 2024 and December 31, 2024 are eligible to vote.
Two‑Thirds Vote Needed to Continue
USDA will consider terminating the marketing order if less than two-thirds of the producers voting, or producers of less than two-thirds of the volume represented in the referendum, favor continuance. The continuance decision therefore depends on meeting a two-thirds threshold by number of producers or by volume.
Ballot Mailing, 20‑Minute Vote, Feb 3 Deadline
Ballots and voting instructions will be sent by U.S. mail or email to Vidalia onion producers of record; participation is voluntary and the ballot materials (OMB No. 0581-0178) are estimated to take about 20 minutes per producer. Ballots postmarked after February 3, 2026 will not be included in the vote tabulation, and about 80 producers are estimated to cast ballots.
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