REFERRED TO THE PEOPLE BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AS RECOMMENDED BY THE MULTNOMAH COUNTY CHARTER REVIEW COMMITTEE.
BALLOT TITLE
MULTNOMAH COUNTY ELECTION TO FILL VACANCIES
QUESTION: Shall election dates for vacancies be limited to the May and November elections?
SUMMARY: The measure amends the Charter. Currently an election must be held at the next available election date to fill a vacancy of a year or more in a county elective office. If no candidate receives a majority of the votes cast, the Board must call a special runoff election. The primary and general election dates in even-numbered years normally have multiple issues and jurisdictions that share the cost of the election. If the Board calls for an election on a date when no other matters are on the ballot, it must pay the entire cost of the election. This measure amends the Charter to limit the election dates for vacancies to the May or November elections. The measure takes effect on November 3, 2010.
EXPLANATORY STATEMENT
Oregon statutes allow that a local government may hold elections on four dates:
- second Tuesday in March;
- third Tuesday in May;
- third Tuesday in September; or
- first Tuesday after the first Monday in November.
The Charter now requires the Board to call an election to fill a vacancy on the next available election date, and if no candidate receives a majority of the votes cast, the Board must call a special runoff election.
Normally, other local governments share the cost of primary and general elections in even-numbered years. If the Board must call an election for a date when there are no other matters on the ballot, the county must pay the entire cost of the election.
This measure amends the Charter. It limits elections to fill vacancies to the May and November election dates. This measure may reduce County election costs.
The Charter Review Committee recommends this measure.
The measure will take effect November 3, 2010.
Submitted by:
Agnes Sowle
County Attorney
Multnomah County
No arguments FOR or AGAINST this measure were filed.