Texas Agriculture Code - AGRIC § 74.106. Board Elections

(a) The initial election for board members from a proposed eradication zone shall be held concurrently with an eradication zone referendum held under Section 74.105. Each eradication zone shall be represented on the board and shall remain represented on the board until eradication operations are concluded and all debt of the eradication zone is paid.

(b) A board election shall be conducted under the procedures provided by this section and Section 74.114 of this code.

(c) A cotton grower who is eligible to vote in a referendum or election under this subchapter is eligible to be a candidate for and member of the board if the person has at least seven years of experience as a cotton grower and otherwise meets the qualifications for the position.

(d) A cotton grower who wants to be a candidate for the board must meet the qualifications for board membership and file an application with the commissioner.  The application must be:

(e) On receipt of an application and verification that the application meets the requirements of Subsection (d) of this section, an applicant's name shall be placed on the ballot for the board election.

(f) An eligible voter may vote for a cotton grower whose name does not appear on the official ballot by writing that person's name on the ballot.

(g) A board election must be preceded by at least 45 days notice published in one or more newspapers published and distributed in the proposed or established eradication zone.  The notice shall be published not less than once a week for three consecutive weeks.  Not later than the 45th day before the date of the election, direct written notice of the election shall be given to each county agent in the eradication zone.

(h) Each board member shall be sworn into office by a representative of the commissioner by taking the oath of office required for elected officers of the state.