Any referendum conducted under this article may be held on an area or statewide basis, as may be determined by the certified association, pursuant to and in accordance with the rules and regulations adopted for holding of such referendum. All owners of hens engaged in the production of eggs who shall be subject to any assessment levied under this article shall be entitled to vote in the referendum. In such referendum, individuals so eligible for participation therein shall vote upon the question of whether there shall be levied an assessment for a period, as provided in this article, in an amount set forth in the call for such referendum, which amount shall not exceed the limitations prescribed by this article. In the event the required number of owners of hens engaged in the production of eggs vote in favor of levying and collecting assessments as authorized in this article, the period of time during which such assessment shall be levied shall be five years following the first referendum and for periods of three years for subsequent referendums, as provided in Section 2-8-160.