The Secretary may select the members of the State of Washington Potato Committee and their respective alternates from nominations which may be made in the following manner, or from among such other qualified persons:

(a) Nominations for Committee members and alternate members shall be made at a meeting or meetings of producers and handlers held by the Committee or at other industry meetings or events not later than May 1 of each year; or the Committee may conduct nominations by mail not later than May 1 of each year in a manner recommended by the Committee and approved by the Secretary.

(b) At least one nominee shall be designated for each position as member and for each position as alternate member on the committee which is vacant, or which is to become vacant the following July 1;

(c) The names of nominees shall be supplied to the Secretary in such manner and form as he may prescribe, not later than June 1 of each year, or by such other date as may be specified by the Secretary;

(d) Only producers may participate in designating producer nominees, and only handlers may participate in designating handler nominees. Any person who operates in more than one district or is engaged in producing and handling potatoes, shall elect the classification (i.e., producer or handler), and the district within which he desires to participate in designating nominees;

(e) Regardless of the number of districts in which a person produces or handles potatoes, each such person is entitled to cast only one vote on behalf of himself, his agents, subsidiaries, affiliates, and representatives in designating nominees for committee members and alternates. An eligible voter's privilege of casting only one vote as aforesaid shall be construed to permit a voter to cast one vote for each position to be filled in the district in which he elects to vote; and

(f) If nominations are not made within the time and in the manner specified in this section, the Secretary may, without regard to nominations, select the committee members and alternates on the basis of the representation provided for in this subpart.

[37 FR 10916, June 1, 1972, as amended at 70 FR 41134, July 18, 2005]