Information on Initiative, Referendum and Recall Petitions

Information on Initiative, Referendum and Recall Petitions

Petition Process | Petition Log | Recall | Manuals & References

Initiative & Referendum Process and Information

Multnomah County Initiative and Referendum Petition Information - please note that the petition process is based on Multnomah Co. Charter and Code and differs from the process in the State's manual. Please contact Multnomah County Elections if you have any questions at elections@multco.us Multnomah County petitions are filed with Multnomah County Elections.

Petition Information for other Districts

  • Metro petition signature requirements - Numbers based on total votes for Governor in Metro District (portions of Multnomah, Clackamas & Washington county): 746,067 - Nov. 2018. Metro petitions are filed with Multnomah County Elections
    • Charter amendment by initiative: 59,686 (8%)
    • Ordinance by initiative:44,765 (6%)
    • Petition by Referendum: 29,843 (4%)
  • Special Districts (Community College, School, Water and Fire) - Petitions for Special Districts are filed with the county where the District administrative Headquarters are located.
    • For special district initiative and referendum petition numbers, please contact Multnomah County Elections

Initiative & Referendum Petition Log

  • Active Petition Information
    • no active petitions
 

Recall Petition Process and Information

A public officer in an elective office may be recalled, whether elected or appointed. This is done by filing a prospective recall petition with the appropriate Elections official. City recall petitions are filed with the City Elections official. County, Metro and other Special District recall petitions located in Multnomah County are filed with Multnomah County Elections.

The prospective petition may be filed if the public office holder has served at least six months of the current term of office.  The signature requirement is 15% of the total number of votes cast in the public officer’s electoral district for all candidates for Governor at the last election at which a candidate for Governor was elected to a full term. The Chief Petitioner has 90 days from filing the prospective to collect and turn in those signatures.

Review the Campaign Finance Manual for recall reporting requirements.

Multnomah County Recall Petition Signature Requirements

  • Chair: 56,715 (15% of 378,098 votes cast for Governor - Nov 2018)
  • Commissioner Dist. 1 17,480 (15% of 116,530 votes cast for Governor - Nov 2018)
  • Commissioner Dist. 2: 15,909 (15% of 106,059 votes cast for Governor - Nov 2018)
  • Commissioner Dist. 3: 13,121 (15% of 87,467 votes cast for Governor - Nov 2018)
  • Commissioner Dist. 4: 10,207 (15% of 68,042 votes cast for Governor - Nov 2018)
  • Sheriff: 56,715 (15% of 378,098 votes cast for Governor - Nov 2018)
  • Auditor: 56,715 (15% of 378,098 votes cast for Governor - Nov 2018)

Petition Signature Requirements for other Districts

  • For special district recall petition numbers, please contact Multnomah County Elections.
  • For city recall petition numbers, please contact the city elections clerk.

Manuals and References

Manuals

State Manuals - All of the manuals published by the Elections Division are available online.

Forms

Election forms - available from Oregon Secretary of State's office

References

Collage of three photos showing various processes at Multnomah County Elections

Multnomah County Elections Division

The Multnomah County Elections Division conducts all local, city, county, state and federal elections for the citizens of Multnomah County.

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