(b) The request for referendum should be canvassed as follows:

1. (1) Number of eligible requests for a referendum. Each person who was a producer during the representative period and provides documentation to prove that they paid an assessment will be considered eligible to request a referendum.
2. (2) Number of ineligible requests for a referendum. If FSA cannot determine that a producer is eligible based on the submitted documentation or if the producer fails to submit the required documentation, the producer shall be determined to be ineligible. FSA shall notify ineligible producers in writing as soon as practicable but no later than the 8th business day following the final day of the Request for Referendum period.

(e) Number of invalid requests for a referendum. An invalid request for referendum includes, but is not limited to the following:

1. (1) Form LS-51-1 is not signed or all required information has not been provided;
2. (2) Form LS-51-1 and supporting documentation returned in-person or by facsimile was not received by the last business day of the Request for Referendum period;
3. (3) Form LS-51-1 and supporting documentation returned by mail was not postmarked by midnight of the final day of the Request for Referendum period;
4. (4) Form LS-51-1 and supporting documentation returned by mail was not received in the county FSA office prior to canvassing of the ballots;
5. (5) Form LS-51-1 or supporting documentation is mutilated or marked in such a way that any required information on the form is illegible; or
6. (6) Form LS-51-1 and supporting documentation not returned to the appropriate county FSA office.