In any referendum under this Act, voting shall be by ballot cast by eligible voters at geographically located polling places or in such manner that will make it easy to vote throughout the State including voting by mail. Any producer who is qualified under the sheep and wool production development and marketing program is entitled to one vote. The referendum area includes the entire State of Illinois.
     Reasonable publicity and notification of the referendum date and voting locations shall be provided in trade publications, the public press and once in the official state newspaper, at least 2 weeks prior to such referendum date.