Where to File Your Candidacy
For your name to be printed on the ballot, you must file a form (usually along with a fee or nominating signature petition) by the applicable filing deadline and with the proper filing office as listed:
Multnomah County Elections Division: County, Metro, special district board, People’s Utility District board, and precinct committeeperson offices
- Some districts are located in more than one county. The Multnomah County Elections Division is the candidate filing office for districts with their administrative offices located in Multnomah County
- Precinct committeeperson (PCP) candidates file with their precinct’s county
State Elections Division: Federal and state offices (includes Multnomah County District Attorney and all judges)
City Elections Offices: City offices
Oregon Department of Agriculture: Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) offices
Filing for Office with Multnomah County Elections
If you are planning to run for local office, review the legal qualifications for the position, what filing materials are required, and when you must submit them:
- Multnomah County Offices (Chair, Commissioners, Auditor, Sheriff)
- Metro Offices (President, Councilors, Auditor)
- Special District Board Offices (Board Directors and Commissioners for education service district, community college districts, school districts, water districts, fire districts, and Urban Flood Safety & Water Quality District)
- People’s Utility District (PUD) Offices (Board Directors)
- Precinct Committeepersons (PCPs)
Contact the Elections Division or schedule an appointment with the District and Candidate Specialist to discuss questions about the filing process.
Filing a Voters’ Pamphlet Statement
Local candidates can choose to file a Candidate Statement for publication in the Multnomah County Voters’ Pamphlet. This includes candidates for city and SWCD offices.
Voters' Pamphlet Filing Information (forms and instructions)
If an office is elected by voters in multiple counties, a separate Voters’ Pamphlet filing and fee must be submitted to each county where the statement is to be published.
Voters’ Pamphlet statements for federal or state positions (including Multnomah County District Attorney) must be filed with the Oregon State Elections Division.
Campaign Finance Compliance
Candidates and campaigns must comply with campaign finance regulations. State-level campaign finance reporting requirements may apply before you file to be listed as a candidate on the ballot. Review the State Elections Division’s campaign finance resources as early as possible to understand your legal obligations.
Resources from the Oregon Secretary of State's Office:
- Campaign Finance Transparency & Education hub
- Register a candidate committee
- State Elections Division Manuals & Quick Guides
Multnomah County Contribution Limits and Disclosure Requirements
Candidates for Multnomah County offices (Chair, Commissioner, Auditor, or Sheriff), are also required to comply with local contribution limits and disclosure requirements for campaign communications.
Additional Forms & Resources for Candidates
Forms
- SEL 150: Candidate Withdrawal Form - Must be filed by the candidate withdrawal deadline to remove your name from the ballot.
- SEL 180: Residence Address Exemption Request - Filed to request that your residential address be redacted on the copy of your candidate filing uploaded to Multnomah County Elections’ website, in voter lists, and in ORESTAR.
Resources
- Oregon Election Laws
- How to order list of registered voters
- State Elections Division’s County, City, and District Candidate Manual - includes information about how to circulate a nominating signature petition
- Size and placement of political signs
- Restrictions on Political Campaigning by Public Employees
- Opportunities to observe election processes