Where to File a Measure Argument
To publish a Measure Argument in the Clackamas, Multnomah, Washington, or Yamhill County Voters’ Pamphlet, submit a Joint County Voters’ Pamphlet Measure Argument (JCVP-03) filing and fee (or signature petition in lieu of fee) to the county’s elections office by 5 pm on the deadline day.
If the jurisdiction or district is located in more than one county: Each county produces its own Voters’ Pamphlet. Submit a separate JCVP-03 filing and fee (or signature petition) to the elections office in each county where the argument is to be printed.
Filing Fees & Payment Options
- $100 - For jurisdictions with fewer than 1,000 eligible voters in the county
- $200 - For jurisdictions with 1,000 - 4,999 eligible voters within the county
- $250 - For jurisdictions with 5,000 - 9,999 eligible voters within the county
- $350 - For jurisdictions with 10,000 - 24,999 eligible voters within the county
- $400 - For jurisdictions with 25,000 or more eligible voters within the county
Contact the county’s elections office to determine a jurisdiction’s voter count and Measure Argument filing fee.
Payment Options: Credit/debit card, cash, and check are accepted.
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Signature Petition
A Joint County Voters’ Pamphlet Petition Sheet for Measure Argument (JCVP-04) may be filed instead of paying a filing fee. Contact the county’s elections office for information about how to begin a prospective signature petition.
For the petition to qualify in lieu of the filing fee, the JCVP-04 must contain the lesser of:
- 1,000 valid signatures from voters in the county who are eligible to vote on the measure
- Valid signatures from 4% of voters in the county who are eligible to vote on the measure
To be valid: The county elections office must approve petition sheets prior to circulation for signatures. The qualified JCVP-04 petition with the minimum number of required signatures must be received in the county elections office by 5 pm on the filing deadline.
How to File a Measure Argument
JCVP forms can be filed in person, by mail, or electronically.
- A complete filing includes: a signed JCVP-03 form (required), the typewritten argument (required), JCVP-02 Endorsement forms (when applicable), and the filing fee or signature petition (required).
- The complete filing, including fee payment (or signature petition), must be received by the county elections office by 5 pm on the filing deadline. Postmarks on mailed filings do not count.
- Filings without a signature or received after 5 pm on the filing deadline will be rejected.
- No changes can be made to the Measure Argument or Endorsements after 5 pm on the filing deadline.
Electronic filers:
- Clackamas/Washington/Yamhill: Submit all materials as email attachments. Cloud-hosted documents (e.g., Google Drive, Dropbox links) are not accepted.
- Multnomah: File online with Multnomah County
- Washington: File online with Washington County
In-person filers:
Please provide an electronic copy of the argument text to offer elections staff maximum time to review and identify any word count issues.
- Clackamas/Washington/Yamhill: Email argument text (.doc or .txt format, or copy text into email body).
- Multnomah: Upload argument text (.doc or .txt format) using the link emailed to you after filing.
- If print and electronic copies differ, the original print version will be published unless an amendment is filed.
Note: Filing early offers Elections staff more time to notify you about issues with the word count or Endorsement forms. Issues can be corrected until the 5 pm filing deadline.
Signature Requirements
The JCVP-03 form must be signed by the individual(s) furnishing the argument. The furnisher’s name (and organization, if applicable) will be printed in the Voters’ Pamphlet at the end of the Measure Argument.
- Electronic signatures are accepted if they represent a true/”wet” signature.
- Digital signatures (digital certificates, typed fonts etc.) are not accepted on printed, emailed, or uploaded forms.
Content Requirements
- Argument text must not exceed 325 words/numbers. It must be typewritten and only include words/numbers.
- If the argument is over the limit, words exceeding the limit will be cut from the end.
- Generally, anything with white space around it counts as a word.
- Bullet points and numbers in a numbered list do not count as words.
- Hyphenated words count as more than one word unless there is a dictionary-accepted spelling as a single word (e.g. re-elected and reelected).
- Ampersand (&) counts as one word.
- Website URL counts as one word.
- Hand-count the argument to ensure it meets the 325-word limit; word processors’ word counts vary.
- Proof the argument before filing. Elections staff will not correct errors in spelling, punctuation, grammar or syntax. No corrections are allowed after the filing deadline.
- If material in the argument violates ORS 251.415, the violating material will be removed from publication. You will be notified about the removal when possible.
Formatting Requirements
- Argument text may use basic formatting (boldface, all caps, centering, underlining, bulleted/numbered lists).
- Italics may only be used when citing the source of a published quote; other uses will be changed to plain text.
- Custom formatting may be adjusted to fit text to available print space.
Endorsements
If a person or organization is named as an endorser or supporter in the argument, you must file a JCVP-02 Endorsement form signed by the endorser by 5 pm on the filing deadline or the name will be removed.
- Endorsement text should be included as part of the typewritten argument and do count toward the 325-word limit.
- See the JCVP-02 forms for detailed instructions.
Publicly Published Quotes
Material published publicly before the filing deadline may be quoted without an Endorsement form if the source and publication date are cited. The quote, source, and date count towards the 325-word limit. Use italics when citing the source and date.
Example: “This measure would do great things for the public.” -Joe Smith, The Oregonian, 4/15/25.
Changes & Amendments
Changes to the Measure Argument or endorsements may be made until 5 pm on the filing deadline. Submit an updated filing with a new, signed JCVP-03 form that has the “amended” box marked. No additional fee is required. No changes are permitted after the 5 pm filing deadline.
Contact Information
Clackamas County Elections
1710 Red Soils Ct., Suite 100, Oregon City, OR 97045
Phone: 503-655-8510
Email: elections@clackamas.us
Multnomah County Elections
1040 SE Morrison St., Portland, OR 97214
Phone: 503-988-8683
Email: filings@multco.us
Washington County Elections
2925 NE Aloclek Dr., Suite 170, Hillsboro, OR 97124
Phone: 503-846-5800
Email: elections@washingtoncountyor.gov
Yamhill County Elections
414 NE Evans St., McMinnville, OR 97128
Phone: 503-434-7518
Email: elections@yamhillcounty.gov