§ 4.1-02-20 — Advisory referendum

1. a. When petitioned to do so by at least fifteen percent of the participating producers,
the council shall conduct a referendum among the participating producers of the
state to determine the amount by which the assessment imposed by this chapter
should be raised or lowered.
b. To be considered a valid petition, no more than fifty percent of the participating
producers who signed the petition may reside in one district.
2. The council shall prepare the ballots and mail the ballots to each participating producer
at least thirty days before the last date for filing ballots.
3. Each ballot must include a statement indicating:
a. The date on which the petition was filed and the number of signatures on the
petition;
b. The date, time, and location at which the council will open and tabulate the
ballots;
c. The last date by which the ballots must be postmarked or filed with the council;
and
d. That any participating producer may be present at the time the ballots are opened
and tabulated.
4. The date selected by the council for the opening and tabulation of ballots must be at
least five days after the date by which ballots must be postmarked or filed with the
council.
5. If a majority of the participating producers voting upon the question are in favor of the
proposed change, the council shall submit a bill to the next legislative assembly to
amend this chapter.