(c) The secretary shall establish a referendum period, which shall not be less than 10 days or more than 60 days in duration. The secretary 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. If at least 40 percent of the total number of divers and handlers from the list established by the secretary participate in the referendum, the secretary shall suspend the operation of this chapter if he or she finds either one of the following has occurred:

1. (1) Sixty-five percent or more of the divers and handlers who voted in the referendum voted in favor of suspension, and the divers and handlers so voting sold or handled a majority of the total quantity of sea urchin in the preceding fishing season by all of the divers and handlers who voted in the referendum.
2. (2) A majority of the divers and handlers who voted in the referendum voted in favor of suspension, and the divers and handlers so voting landed or handled 65 percent or more of the total quantity of sea urchin in the preceding fishing season by all of the divers and handlers who voted in the referendum.