§6011 Requirement of Referendum

Summary

A referendum must be held no later than 24 months after the plan first takes effect. People who grew or imported pecans during a representative period set by the Secretary — growers, grower-shellers, and importers — get to vote on whether the plan should continue, end, or be paused. After that vote, the Secretary must also hold another referendum if the Board or at least 10 percent of those people asks for one. If more than half of the votes favor ending or pausing the plan, the Secretary must do so. The Department’s referendum costs must be paid from the Board’s assessments, but not government employees’ salaries. The Secretary decides how votes are run. Voters must register in person at their local Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service (ASCS) office before voting; importers may register by mail to the Secretary. Votes can be cast in person at the ASCS office or by mail to the Secretary. Each ASCS office must tell all local growers, grower-shellers, and importers about the referendum at least 30 days beforehand and explain how to register and vote.