(c) The secretary shall establish a referendum period, that shall not be less than 10 days nor more than 60 days in duration. The director may prescribe additional procedures as may be necessary to conduct the referendum. At the close of the established referendum period, the secretary shall tabulate the ballots filed during the period. The secretary shall suspend operation of this chapter if the director finds either one of the following has occurred:

1. (1) At least 40 percent of the total number of producers from the list established by the director have participated in the referendum:

   1. (A) Sixty-five percent or more of the producers who voted in the referendum voted in favor of suspension, and the producers so voting marketed a majority of the total quantity of peppers in the preceding marketing year by all of the producers who voted in the referendum.
   2. (B) A majority of the producers who voted in the referendum voted in favor of suspension, and the producers so voting marketed 65 percent or more of the total quantity of peppers in the preceding marketing year by all of the producers who voted in the referendum.

2. (2) At least 40 percent of the total number of handlers from the list established by the director have participated in the referendum:

   1. (A) Sixty-five percent or more of the handlers who voted in the referendum voted in favor of suspension, and the handlers so voting handled a majority of the total quantity of peppers in the preceding marketing year by all of the handlers who voted in the referendum.
   2. (B) A majority of the handlers who voted in the referendum voted in favor of suspension, and the handlers so voting handled 65 percent or more of the total quantity of peppers in the preceding marketing year by all of the handlers who voted in the referendum.