Cal. Food & Agric. Code § 52874

Each member of the board, except the ex officio members, shall have an alternate member, who shall be a candidate for election in the same manner as the member. The candidate receiving the greatest number of votes in the election for the vacant position shall be the member. The candidate with the next highest number of votes in the election for the vacant position shall be the alternate. In the event of a tie vote in electing members or alternates, the secretary, by lot, shall determine the member and alternate.