(a) Nominations
(1)
Not later than 30 days after the effective date of the order, the Secretary shall call for the nomination within each State of candidates for appointment as producer members of the initial Delegate Body.
(2)
Each State association may nominate producers who are residents of such State to serve as such candidates.
(3)
(A)
[1] Additional producers who are residents of a State may be nominated as candidates of such State by written petition signed by 100 producers or 5 percent of the pork producers in such State, whichever is less. The Secretary shall establish and publicize the procedures governing the time and place for filing petitions.
(b) Election; eligibility to vote; notice of election; number of members nominated
(3)
(B)
The notice shall set forth the period of time and places for voting and such other information as the Secretary considers necessary.
(4)
Each State shall nominate to the Delegate Body the number of producer members required under section 4806(b)(2)(B) of this title.
(5)
The producers who receive the highest number of votes in each State shall be nominated for appointment as members of the Delegate Body from such State.
(c) Subsequent nominations and elections to be administered by Board; time of election; voting eligibility
(1)
Except as provided in paragraph (3), after the election of the producer members of the initial Delegate Body, the Board shall administer all subsequent nominations and elections of the producer members to be nominated for appointment as members of the Delegate Body, with the assistance of the Secretary and in accordance with subsections (a)(3) and (b).
(d) Nominating committee; appointment; nomination to fill position for pending election
(1)
Prior to the expiration of the term of any producer member of the Delegate Body, the Board shall appoint a nominating committee of producers who are residents of the State represented by such member.