Any referendum conducted hereunder may be held on a statewide basis pursuant to rules and regulations adopted by the State Board of Agriculture and Industries for the holding of such referendum. Every producer of cotton who shall be subject to any assessment levied hereunder and who produced cotton in the crop year immediately preceding the referendum shall be entitled to one vote in the referendum. In such referendum, individuals so eligible for participation therein shall vote upon the question of whether there shall be levied an assessment for a period of ten years in an amount set forth in the call for such referendum, which amount shall not exceed the limitations prescribed by this article. Votes shall be cast by secret ballot.
Ala. Code § 2-8-198 (1975)