N.D. Cent. Code § 4.1-11-04

4.1-11-04. Election of county representative

1. Before January first, the council shall identify each district represented by a council

member whose term is about to expire and notify the extension agent for each county

in that member's district that an election to select a county representative must occur

before March first.

2. Each year during the month of December, the council shall publish notice of the

election in the official newspaper of the county for one week. The notice must contain

a description of the election process, a request for the nomination of potential

candidates for the position, and a deadline for the receipt of all nominations.

3. In order for a nomination to be valid, it must be submitted to the county extension

agent in writing and signed by a nominating producer who resides in the county. The

county extension agent shall determine if a nomination is valid. A decision by the

county extension agent under this subsection is final.

4. The county extension agent shall:

a. Compile all valid nominations;

b. Contact each nominee to determine if the nominee consents to being on the

ballot; and

c. Forward the name of each nominee to the council.

5. The council shall prepare the election ballots and mail to each producer of record in

the county:

a. A ballot;

b. A stamped self-addressed return envelope;

c. Instructions for completing and returning the ballot; and

d. A statement indicating the last date by which the ballots must be postmarked or

filed with the county extension agent.

6. The council shall publish notice of the pending election in the official newspaper of the

county for one week. The notice must announce the election, provide information

regarding the manner in which a producer may obtain a ballot if one was not received

by mail, and indicate the deadline by which all ballots must be returned.

7. Any producer who resides in the county may vote in the election.

8. Immediately after the passing of the deadline by which the ballots must be returned,

the county extension agent shall:

a. Tabulate the ballots;

b. Notify the director of the North Dakota state university extension service and the

council that the election has taken place and provide to the director and the

council the name and address of the newly elected county representative; and

c. Notify the newly elected county representative.

9. Subsections 1 through 8 do not apply if the county extension agent, in consultation

with the executive director of the county farm service agency office, determines and

notifies the council that no soybean producers willing to serve as county

representatives reside within the county.