Running for Multnomah County Office

Election By Ranked Choice Voting (RCV)

Starting in 2026, County offices will be elected at November General Elections using ranked choice voting (RCV). With this change, County offices will no longer appear on May Primary ballots. 

Candidates are essential in educating voters about RCV and ensuring every single voter successfully completes their ballot! 

You will learn how to: 

• Teach voters how to successfully fill out an RCV ballot
• Answer common voter questions about RCV
• Educate voters on avoiding or correcting errors when completing their RCV ballots
• Access our free, educational RCV videos and graphics for use in campaign communications

Download graphics from the guide to use in voter education materials.

Explore information about how and when RCV is used in Multnomah County.

Information About Multnomah County Office Elections

• Multnomah County offices are elected to 4-year terms
• Terms begin January 1 following November election
• Office terms are staggered, with half the offices on the ballot every two years
• Elected officials are limited to two full consecutive terms for the same office within 12 years
• Candidates for Multnomah County District Attorney file with the State Elections Division

November 2026 General Election - Important Dates

• First day to file: June 3, 2026
• Deadline for elected incumbents to file candidacy: August 18, 2026, 5:00 pm
• Deadline for non-incumbents (new) and appointed incumbents to file candidacy: August 25, 2026, 5:00 pm
• Deadline to file Voters’ Pamphlet Candidate Statement: August 25, 2026, 5:00 pm
• Deadline to file candidate withdrawal (SEL 150): August 28, 2026
• Voters’ Pamphlet Candidate Statement filings available for public inspection: August 31, 2026
• Election Day: November 3, 2026

Before Filing Your Candidacy for Multnomah County Office: 

• Confirm you meet the office’s legal qualifications
  • To check whether you meet a Multnomah County office’s residence qualification, search the Voter Precincts map for your address and click on its surrounding precinct to see the list of districts in which it is located.
• Check when your office is scheduled to be on the ballot
  • The schedule below shows regular election cycles for Multnomah County offices.
• Review the election’s filing deadlines

Multnomah County Chair

Next election: November 3, 2026

Qualifications: 

• Qualified elector of Multnomah County for a year and a half immediately before taking office

Elected at-large, by all registered voters in Multnomah County.

Multnomah County Commissioner 

Next election for Commissioner District 2: November 3, 2026

Next election for Commissioner Districts 1, 3, & 4: November 7, 2028

Qualifications: 

• Qualified elector of Multnomah County for a year and a half immediately before taking office
• Resident of the commissioner district for a year and a half immediately before taking office

Elected by voters registered in the commissioner district. 

Multnomah County Auditor 

Next election: November 3, 2026

Qualifications: 

• Qualified elector of Multnomah County for a year and a half immediately before taking office
• Certified Internal Auditor or Certified Public Accountant at the time of filing

Elected at-large, by all registered voters in Multnomah County.

Multnomah County Sheriff

Next election: November 3, 2026

Qualifications: 

• 21 years or older
• Qualified elector of Multnomah County for a year and a half immediately before taking office
• Department of Public Safety Standards and Training (DPSST) certification
  • Sheriff Candidate Eligibility Review application
  • For more information about this requirement, review Oregon Administrative Rule 259-008-0075: Determinations of Eligibility for Election to the Office of Sheriff

Elected at-large, by all registered voters in Multnomah County.

Candidate Filing Process 

Candidates for Multnomah County offices file with the Elections Division.

• Schedule an appointment with the District and Candidate Specialist to discuss questions about the filing process

Filing Fee or Signature Petition

Candidate Filing Fee: $50

The filing fee can be paid with a credit/debit card, cash, or check payable to Multnomah County Elections. The Elections Division must receive the fee (or signature petition) by the applicable deadline for the filing to be accepted. 

To file by signature petition instead of paying a filing fee: 

• 500 valid signatures from electors residing in the district are required
• The Elections Division must approve your Candidate Signature Sheets for circulation before you can collect any signatures

• The Elections Division must receive the original signature sheets containing the required number of signatures by 5:00 pm on your candidate filing deadline

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File Candidacy Online

The Multnomah County Elections Online Filing Portal is coming soon and will be available when the 2026 filing period opens. 

Before filing candidacy online: 

• Only file online if you are the candidate
• Prepare to provide information for required fields: contact information, occupation, occupational background, educational background, and prior government experience.
• Have a credit or debit card ready (American Express is not accepted)

• If you are filing by signature petition, your candidate filing form may be submitted online, but the original petition sheets must be filed in person or by mail

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File Candidacy in Person or by Mail

Deliver the filing to Multnomah County Elections, 1040 SE Morrison St, Portland OR 97214. 

• Candidate Filing Form (SEL 101)
  • Ensure that all required fields are completed
  • Verify that you have included both the County's name and the commissioner district number (if applicable)

Mailed filings must be received by your filing deadline; postmarks do not count.

Voters’ Pamphlet Filing Process: Candidate Statement

Voters’ Pamphlet Candidate Statement Filing Fee: $300

• Voters’ Pamphlet Filing Information (forms and instructions)

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. 

• 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 are also required to comply with local contribution limits and disclosure requirements for campaign communications. 

Additional Candidate Resources & Information

Candidate Order on the Ballot

Pursuant to state law (OAR 165-010-0090), the State of Oregon Elections Division produces a directive which provides the random alphabetic order in which candidate names will appear on the ballot. This directive is issued and delivered to counties no later than the 68th day before the date of any election. Once received, Multnomah County Elections places the directive on our website.

Candidate Withdrawal

If you have already filed your candidacy and would like your name removed from the ballot, you must file a Candidate Withdrawal Form (SEL 150) by the candidate withdrawal deadline. 

If you are changing the position for which you are running, you must file a Candidate Withdrawal form before filing your candidacy for the new position.