Upon establishment of lists of handlers, the director shall call meetings of handlers in each district for the purpose of nominating persons to be appointed to the office of commissioner. At each district meeting for the nomination of members, the director, or an authorized representative thereof, shall preside and receive nominations and, at the conclusion of each meeting, shall announce the names of persons nominated at the meeting and the time, the manner, and instructions for voting by mail. Thereafter, within 10 days after the final district meeting, the director shall mail to all handlers ballots for the election of members in the respective districts, with instructions for voting by mail. All ballots are required to be returned to the director and mailed for delivery within 10 days after issuance by the director.