(1) Nominations and elections to board positions are conducted by regular mail.

(2) The board calls for nominations to elected positions at least 60 days prior to expiration of position terms.

(3) The board sends ballots to eligible activated county noxious weed control boards or weed district directors by regular mail at least 45 days prior to expiration of each position term.

(4) Ballots must be returned no later than 30 days before expiration of each term. Only official ballots will be accepted. Photocopied ballots will be considered invalid.

(5) The board chairperson appoints a committee to count ballots and certify elections at least 30 days prior to expiration of each term.

(6) Results of elections are announced prior to the next scheduled board meeting.

(7) For the purpose of conducting nominations or elections, the board uses the current list of county noxious weed control board voting members and weed district directors.

(8) Any person who is a resident in and member of an activated county noxious weed control board in the counties represented by positions 1, 2, 3, and 4 may enter his or her name, or that of any qualified person in nomination for election to the board position by voting members of the above activated county noxious weed control boards.

(9) Any director of an active weed district formed under chapter 17.04 or 17.06 RCW may enter a name in nomination for election to position 5 on the board.

(10) Each candidate or each person nominating such candidate must complete a certificate of nomination, and must return it to the board postmarked by the date specified.

(11) The board creates a ballot listing the names in alphabetical order beginning with the last name first, of the candidates nominated to the position of the board: Provided, That the board shall remove the name of any person nominated who notifies the board in writing that he or she is unwilling to serve on the board.

(12) The ballot, along with the statement, if any, of each candidate in the election will be mailed by regular mail to each voting member of an activated county noxious weed control board or director of an active weed district. Only county board members or weed district directors within the established position area are eligible to vote for the board member to represent that area.

(13) Each voting member of an activated county noxious weed control board or director of an activated weed district may cast one vote for the candidates appearing on the appropriate ballot and return it to the board as provided above and as per the dates specified.

(14) The candidate receiving the highest number of votes is elected: Provided, That if the candidate fails to receive more than 50 percent of the votes cast in an election, a second election will be held between such candidate and the candidate receiving the next highest votes and: Provided further, That if there is only one candidate, that candidate will be deemed elected unanimously.

(15) The term of office for all members of the board is four years from the date of election or appointment.

(16) Vacancies among board members appointed by the director will be filled by the director. Vacancies among elected members will be filled by special election by those entities eligible to elect that position for the expired term. Special elections follow the same procedure as regular elections and repeated as needed until position is filled. Board members appointed to fill vacancies will serve out the existing term.