(a)

1. (1) Members of the State Committee of Blind Vendors shall be elected to serve terms of two (2) years.
2. (2) The number of consecutive terms vendors may serve on the State Committee of Blind Vendors shall not be limited.
3. (3) Participation by any blind vendor in the election of State Committee of Blind Vendors members shall not be conditioned upon the payment of dues or other fees.

(b) Elections are conducted under the following procedures:

1. (1)

   1. (A) The President of the Arkansas Association of Blind Vending Facility Managers shall appoint a nominating committee consisting of from three (3) to five (5) members.
   2. (B)

(i) This committee shall nominate five (5) vendors from throughout the state.

1. (ii) The nominees shall be for the positions of:

(b) (b) Vice president;

1. (c) (c) Secretary/treasurer; and

   1. (d) (d) One (1) member from each of the geographic areas as may be established by the Division of State Services for the Blind and the State Committee of Blind Vendors.

      1. (iii) When no vendor is willing or able to represent their geographical area of the state, then a vendor will be elected at-large to fill a regional position.
      2. (iv) Currently, the geographic areas are:

(b) (b) Area II, all locations outside the city limits of Little Rock;

1. (2) Elections will be conducted in odd-numbered years at the business meeting held during the sales seminar at which time nominations may be made from the floor;
2. (3) A vendor nominated from the floor to a position representing a geographical area must operate a vending facility in that area, except when no vendor is willing or able to represent their geographical area of the state, then a vendor will be elected at-large to fill that position; and

3. (4)

   1. (A) A vacancy created as a result of a member who does not represent a geographical area leaving the Vending Facility Program will be filled at the next annual sales seminar if the vacancy occurs during the first year of the term.

   2. (B) A vacancy occurring during the second year shall be appointed by the President of the Arkansas Association of Blind Vending Facility Managers.

      1. (c)
4. (1) If a vendor who represents a geographic area ceases to operate a vending facility in that area either as a result of transfer or promotion or of leaving the program for any reason, his or her position shall be deemed vacant.
5. (2) As soon as practicable thereafter, a special election will be conducted among the vendors who operate facilities in the pertinent area under procedures to be prescribed by the division in consultation with the State Committee of Blind Vendors.