USDA Sets Dates for Peanut Checkoff Continuance Referendum

The Department of Agriculture will conduct a referendum April 8-19, 2024, for eligible U.S. producers of peanuts to decide whether to continue their checkoff program.

USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service will conduct the referendum by regular mail, express mail and electronic ballot. AMS staff will mail ballots and voting instructions to all known eligible U.S. peanut producers before the voting period. Folks engaged in the production and sale of peanuts at the time of the referendum and during the representative period of January 1 through December 31, 2022, are eligible to vote. The order will continue if a majority of producers voting in the referendum favor it.

Completed ballots delivered to AMS via regular mail must be postmarked by April 19, 2024, to be counted. Ballots delivered to AMS via express mail or electronic ballot must show proof of delivery no later than 11:59 p.m. ET April 19, 2024 to be counted.

Latest news