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.
In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and
employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex,
disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights
activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or
incident. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign
Language, etc.) should contact the responsible Agency or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay
Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English. To file a program discrimination complaint,
complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html and at any USDA office

SC-244 (Exp. 07/31/2027. Destroy previous editions.)

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OMB No. 0581-0215
or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992.
Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by: (1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights 1400 Independence
Avenue, SW Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; (2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or (3) email: [email protected]. USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and
lender.
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.

SC-244 (Exp. 07/31/2027. Destroy previous editions.)

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OMB No. 0581-0215

HANDLER POSITION X BALLOT

VOTING DEADLINE
_______________

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
499 West Shaw Avenue, Suite 140, Fresno, CA 93704
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. 07/31/2027. Destroy previous editions.)

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