SC-244 Handler & Alternate Member Nomination Ballot

OMB No. 0581-0215

Administrative Committee for Pistachios

Federal Marketing Order 983

Official Ballot Material

«First_Name» «Last_Name»

«Processor_Name»

«Street»

«City», «State» «Zip»

Handler Ballot Instructions

Handler Ballot: There is one handler member and one alternate handler member position to be filled on the Committee. For the Position 1 handler member and alternate handler member positions, each handler entity is entitled one vote. For the Position 2 handler member, each handler entity is entitled to one vote respectively for each ton of assessed weight of pistachios processed by that handler during the two production years preceding the current production year. The candidate receiving the highest number of votes by position will be the handler member and the candidate receiving the second highest number of votes will be the alternate handler member. In case of a tie vote, the nominee(s) shall be selected by a drawing.

Handler Position: This year the voting is for the Position member. [Each handler entity is entitled to one vote for each ton of assessed weight of pistachios processed by that handler during the 20__/20__ and 20__/20__production years. Volume for voting purposes will be determined based upon handler reports provided to the Committee. OR Each handler entity is entitled to one vote with each vote weighted equally.] Vote for one candidate of your choice or write in the name and contact information of the candidate of your choice.

Voter Eligibility: Any business entity currently engaged in the handling of pistachios within the states of California, Arizona and New Mexico is eligible to vote for the handler member positions.

Affiliation: The two handler member and alternate handler member positions must be represented by handlers who are not affiliated with each other. Only one member and one alternate member representing handlers shall be employed by or affiliated with the same handler and/or producer.

Voting Period: _______________ through __________________

Ballot Certification: Print your name and title (if applicable), and certify your eligibility to vote by signing and dating the ballot. Ballot without a signature will not be counted.

According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, an agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a valid OMB control number. The valid OMB control number for this information collection is 0581-0215. The time required to complete this information collection is estimated to average 15 minutes per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information.

The following statements are made in accordance with the Privacy Act of 1974 (U.S.C. 552a) and the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, as amended. The authority for requesting the information to be supplied on this form is the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937, Secs. 1-19, 48 Stat. 31, as amended, (7 U.S.C. 601-674). Furnishing the requested information is necessary for the administration of the marketing order program. Submission of the Tax Identification Number (TIN) is mandatory, and will be used to validate ballots and determine affiliation or entity identity. Please note that ballots will not become invalid if a TIN is not disclosed. The making of any false statements or representations in any matter within the jurisdiction of any agency of the United States, knowing it to be false, is a violation of title 18, section 1001 of the United States Code, which provides for fine or imprisonment, or both.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or part of an individual’s income is derived from any public assistance program (not all prohibited bases apply to all programs). Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD).

To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410, or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

VOTING DEADLINE

_______________

Handler Position X Ballot

You must be a handler of pistachios in California, Arizona, or New Mexico to vote on this ballot.

The ballot is for the July 1, 20__ – June 30, 20__ two-year term (choose appropriate handler position for this election year)

Handler Position 1 (one vote per handler entity – each vote weighted equally) (or)

Handler Position 2 (one vote per handler entity – each vote weighted based on tons of assessed pistachios received and processed by the handler during the two productions years preceding the current production year)

Vote () for one (1) candidate or submit a “write-in” candidate. Election/candidate information is available at www.acpistachios.org.

____ Candidate One	____ Candidate Two
____ Candidate Three	____ Candidate Four
____ Candidate Five	____ Candidate Six
Write-In Candidate
*Contact Info (phone, email)
*Contact information needed for write-in candidates

CERTIFICATION OF VOTER ELIGIBILITY (only ballots certified with a signature will be counted)

I certify that I or my employer currently handles pistachios. If I am casting a ballot on behalf of my employer, I certify that I have the authority to do so.

Handler Name Address Phone Number

Print Name Signature Date

Title

Mail, email, or fax your ballot by ___________________ (ballots not received or postmarked by this date will not be counted):

Administrative Committee for Pistachios

4938 East Yale Avenue, Suite 102, Fresno, CA 93727

Tel (559) 255-6480; Fax (559) 255-6485

Email: [email protected]

If you need more information, contact the Administrative Committee for Pistachios (ACP) office (559-255-6480) or visit the ACP website (www.acpistachios.org).

SC-244 (Exp. XXXX. Destroy previous editions.) Page 1 of 2