The Illinois Department of Agriculture has announced that an election will be held next Wednesday for three positions on the Illinois Wheat Development Board, including a seat representing Wayne County and several surrounding Southern Illinois counties.
The election will fill vacancies in Districts Three and Six, along with one statewide at-large board position. District Six includes Wayne, Edwards, White, Hamilton, Clay and Wabash counties, along with Alexander, Gallatin, Hardin, Johnson, Massac, Pope, Pulaski, Saline, Union and Williamson counties.
According to the Illinois Department of Agriculture, no formal petitions were submitted for the vacant positions. As a result, qualified wheat producers may participate in the election as write-in candidates.
To qualify, candidates must be of legal voting age, reside within the district they seek to represent and be an eligible wheat producer.
Candidates seeking the statewide at-large position may reside in any Illinois Wheat Development Board district.
In-person voting will take place Wednesday at county Farm Bureau offices during regular business hours.
Wheat producers who cannot vote in person may request an absentee ballot by contacting the Illinois Department of Agriculture at 217-524-1083.
The election gives wheat producers in Wayne County and surrounding communities an opportunity to select representatives who will help guide the state’s wheat industry.
For additional information about the election or candidate eligibility, contact the Illinois Department of Agriculture at 217-524-1083 or the Illinois Wheat Association at 309-557-3619.