Elections 2024 - So You Want to Run for Local Office

CITY COUNCIL ELECTION INFORMATION

Note: This information is an excerpt of the packet provided below in Supporting Documents.

In order to serve on the Molalla City Council, applicants are required to be a Clackamas County registered voter and have lived within Molalla city limits prior to November 5, 2023. If you meet those requirements and want to use your knowledge and experience to volunteer on the Molalla City Council, please read the Guide for Prospective City Elected Officials published by the League of Oregon Cities. This short publication provides a good overview for people interested in serving on a city council. The Candidate Manual produced by the Secretary of State is included at the bottom of this page to help guide you through the process.

All the election forms referenced herein can be downloaded at the bottom of this page for your convenience and paper copies are available at City Hall. You are welcome and encouraged to attend Council meetings in order to understand how the meetings work, what the Council does, etc. The City Council web page also has information that will help you understand the expectations and functions of the Council. There is also an example of how to complete the SEL 102 and SEL 121 included at the bottom of this page.

UPCOMING POSITIONS ON THE NOVEMBER 5, 2024 BALLOT

The Mayor and three(3) City Council positions will be featured on the ballot for the November 5, 2024 General Election. Positions expiring on December 31, 2024 are:

Mayor Scott Keyser
Councilor Jody Newland
Councilor Crystal Robles
Councilor Eric Vermillion

Candidates receiving the highest number of notes on the ballot will fill the positions.

Important Dates:

June 5: First day to file nomination papers with the city elections officer. Note: signature sheets must be approved before being circulated.

Aug. 20: City Hall deadline to submit signatures for verification to the city elections officer. NOTE: The Elections Officer takes signature sheets to Clackamas County Elections Office for verification. Please allow for travel and processing time.

Aug. 27: Last day to file nomination papers with the City Elections Officer. Due at 9am. Note: signatures must be verified by the county elections office by 5 p.m. on this day.

Aug. 29: Last day for candidates to file voters’ pamphlet statements with the Clackamas County Elections Office.

Aug. 30: Last day to withdraw candidacy.

Forms can be downloaded (see below) or picked up at City Hall, 117 N. Molalla Avenue, Molalla. The City of Molalla does not charge a fee for filing.

How to File for Candidacy by Petition

STEP 1: Candidate nomination papers are filed with the City.

Forms SEL101 and SEL121 must be approved in writing by the city elections officer before circulating. Failure to do so will result in the rejection of signature sheets. Each candidate must determine in advance which position they plan to run for.

Form SEL101: Candidate Filing
Form SEL121: Candidate Signature Sheet – Nonpartisan

Beginning June 5, 2024, you may submit a completed Candidate Filing Form (SEL101) AND a Candidate Signature Sheet – Nonpartisan (SEL121 – submit with just the top portion completed) to the City Elections Officer at Molalla City Hall, 117 N. Molalla Avenue, Molalla.

A sample SEL101 and SEL121 form is provided on the city website.

STEP 2: Once your eligibility has been verified by the City Election Officer, you will receive a letter notifying you that you are approved to begin collecting signatures.

**Do not begin collecting signatures without this letter of approval.**

Using SEL 121 forms, you must obtain a minimum of 20 signatures of registered voters who reside within Molalla City limits.

While 20 valid signatures are what is required, it is recommended that you gather a few more in case some are deemed invalid (the signer is not registered to vote, resides outside City limits, etc.).

STEP 3: Submit your completed signature pages AND Form SEL 338 to the City Elections Officer who will submit them to the County Clerk for verification.

Once all of your forms have been verified and you have 20 verified signatures, your name will be submitted to the County Clerk to appear on the ballot, and you will receive notification from the City Elections Officer.

If a candidate does not submit enough valid signatures, the candidate may continue to collect additional signatures until the filing deadline.

STEP 4:

Campaign! Get out and meet people, speak at community groups, talk to your neighbors and friends, let them know you are running for office and why. You can do all of this without spending a penny.
If you choose to set up campaign financing, see Step 5.
If you choose to distribute temporary campaign signs, please see page 6 of this packet, Political Sign Info.

As your elections officer, I am a resource for you. Please call 503-759-0285 or email recorder@cityofmolalla.com to schedule an appointment. Without an appointment, you risk my not being available.

Kind Regards,

Christie Teets, CMC

City Recorder | Elections Officer