1. A.

   1. 1. The first election for the board of directors shall be conducted under the procedures provided by this section.

   2. 2. A cotton grower who desires to be a candidate for the board of directors must file a petition signed by five (5) cotton growers with the initial board. The application must be:

      1. a. filed not later than thirty (30) days before the date set for the election, and
      2. b. on a form approved by the initial board.
   3. 3. On receipt of an application and verification that the application meets the requirements of this section, an applicant's name shall be placed on the ballot for the election for the board of directors.
   4. 4. The election must be preceded by at least forty-five (45) days' notice published in one or more newspapers published and distributed in the established election districts. The notice shall be published not less than once a week for three (3) consecutive weeks.
2. B. All cotton growers actively engaged in the production of cotton in the year of the calling of such election or who were actively engaged in production of cotton in any two (2) of the three (3) years immediately preceding the calling of the election shall be entitled to vote in any such election. The initial board shall determine any questions of eligibility to vote.

3. C.

   1. 1. The Department shall bear all reasonable expenses incurred in conducting the election of the first board of directors. All such expenses shall be approved by the Commissioner prior to being incurred.

   2. 2. The written procedures established by the initial board for the election process shall include but not be limited to provisions for determining:

      1. a. who is a cotton grower eligible to vote in an election,
      2. b. whether a board member is elected by a plurality or a majority of the votes cast, and
      3. c. qualifications for membership of the board of directors.
   3. 3. An eligible cotton grower may vote in any district in which he produces cotton.
4. D. Ballots in an election may be mailed to a central location or delivered in person to a location or locations designated by the initial board.

Added by Laws 1993, HB 1198, c. 198, § 6, eff. September 1, 1993.