Which of the following is NOT a requirement before a federal agency can issue a valid legislative rule?

A federal agency must follow specific procedures to create a valid legislative rule, but holding a preferential election by citizens regarding the proposed rule is not one of those requirements. The requirement for a comment period allows for public input on proposed rules, ensuring that regulations reflect public sentiment and expertise. Additionally, the publishing of the final rule in the Federal Register is crucial for transparency and to inform the public about regulations that will be enforced. Furthermore, an enabling act provides the legal authority under which the agency can formulate rules. However, the notion of a preferential election implies a democratic voting process that is not part of administrative rule-making procedures. Such a process would be impractical and unnecessary, as agency rule-making is designed to be efficient and evidence-based rather than reliant on direct public votes for every regulation.