(a) If 10 percent or more of the producers participating in the program present to the secretary-treasurer a petition calling for a referendum of the qualified voters on the proposition of discontinuing the assessment, the board shall conduct a referendum for that purpose.
(b) The board shall give notice of the referendum, the referendum shall be conducted, and the results shall be declared in the manner provided by law for the original referendum and election, with any necessary exceptions provided by rule of the commissioner.
(c) The board shall conduct the referendum within 90 days of the date of filing of the petition.
(d) Approval of the proposition is by majority vote of those voting. If the proposition is approved, the assessment is abolished.