---
kind: "section"
citation: "7 U.S.C. § 6011"
title: "7"
title_heading: "Agriculture"
number: "6011"
heading: "Requirement of referendum"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/7/6011"
units:
  - "Chapter 89 — Pecan Promotion and Research"
---

# §6011. Requirement of referendum

- (a) **In general—** Not later than 24 months after the effective date of the plan first issued under [section 6003 of this title](/usc/7/6003.md), the [Secretary](/usc/7/6002.md?p=21) shall conduct a referendum among [growers](/usc/7/6002.md?p=8), [grower-shellers](/usc/7/6002.md?p=9), and [importers](/usc/7/6002.md?p=11), who during a representative period determined by the [Secretary](/usc/7/6002.md?p=21) have been engaged in the production or importation of [pecans](/usc/7/6002.md?p=16), for the purpose of ascertaining whether [growers](/usc/7/6002.md?p=8), [grower-shellers](/usc/7/6002.md?p=9), and [importers](/usc/7/6002.md?p=11) favor continuation, termination, or suspension of the plan.
- (b) **Other referenda—**
  - (1) **In general—** After the referendum required under [subsection (a)](#a), the [Secretary](/usc/7/6002.md?p=21) shall hold a referendum on request of the [Board](/usc/7/6002.md?p=1) or 10 percent or more of the total number of [growers](/usc/7/6002.md?p=8), [grower-shellers](/usc/7/6002.md?p=9), and [importers](/usc/7/6002.md?p=11), to determine if [growers](/usc/7/6002.md?p=8), [grower-shellers](/usc/7/6002.md?p=9), and [importers](/usc/7/6002.md?p=11) favor the termination or suspension of the plan.
  - (2) **Suspension or termination—** The [Secretary](/usc/7/6002.md?p=21) shall terminate or suspend such plan, in accordance with [section 6012(b) of this title](/usc/7/6012.md?p=b), whenever the [Secretary](/usc/7/6002.md?p=21) determines that such suspension or termination is favored by a majority of those voting in a referendum.
- (c) **Costs of referendum—** The [Secretary](/usc/7/6002.md?p=21) shall be reimbursed from any assessments collected by the [Board](/usc/7/6002.md?p=1) for any expenses incurred by the [Department](/usc/7/6002.md?p=5) in connection with the conduct of any referendum under this chapter, except for the salaries of Government employees.
- (d) **Manner—**
  - (1) **In general—** Referenda conducted pursuant to this chapter shall be conducted in such a manner as is determined by the [Secretary](/usc/7/6002.md?p=21).
  - (2) **Advance registration—** A [grower](/usc/7/6002.md?p=8), [grower-sheller](/usc/7/6002.md?p=9), or [importer](/usc/7/6002.md?p=11) who chooses to vote in any referendum conducted under this chapter shall register in [person](/usc/7/6002.md?p=17) prior to the voting period at the appropriate local office of the Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service, as determined by the [Secretary](/usc/7/6002.md?p=21), for such [grower](/usc/7/6002.md?p=8), [grower-sheller](/usc/7/6002.md?p=9), or by mailing such a request to the [Secretary](/usc/7/6002.md?p=21) on behalf of an [importer](/usc/7/6002.md?p=11).
  - (3) **Voting—** A [grower](/usc/7/6002.md?p=8), [grower-sheller](/usc/7/6002.md?p=9), or [importer](/usc/7/6002.md?p=11) who votes in any referendum conducted under this chapter shall vote in [person](/usc/7/6002.md?p=17) at the appropriate local office of the Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service, as determined by the [Secretary](/usc/7/6002.md?p=21) or by mail to the [Secretary](/usc/7/6002.md?p=21).
  - (4) **Notice—** Each Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service office shall notify all [growers](/usc/7/6002.md?p=8), [grower-shellers](/usc/7/6002.md?p=9), and [importers](/usc/7/6002.md?p=11) in the area of such office, as determined by the [Secretary](/usc/7/6002.md?p=21), at least 30 days prior to a referendum conducted under this chapter. Such notice shall explain the registration and voting procedures established under this subsection.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 101–624, title XIX, § 1916, Nov. 28, 1990, 104 Stat. 3853.)