Council Election Information

Important Dates if you decide you are interested in running, these are some critical dates for your calendar:

The next regularly scheduled City Council election will be the November 2012 General Election. Dates will be posted as the information becomes available.

About the City Council:

• The City Council is composed of a mayor and four councilors.
• Each council position is numbered one (1) through four (4).
• Each prospective candidate declares the position # for which he/she is running.
• A candidate may run for only one position.
• All councilors are elected at large.
• Terms are four (4) years unless one is filling an unexpired term.
• No person shall serve more than two full consecutive terms.
• Councilors must take an oath of office before commencing their duties.
• Councilors must file a "Statement of Economic Interest" annually with the State Government Standards and Practices Commission.
  
  Qualifications for Candidacy: Must be a City of Milwaukie resident during the six (6) months immediately preceding the election. Must be a qualified elector in the State Oregon.
  
  How to File for Candidacy: The City elections officer will provide you with the copies of several forms you will need in order to file, or you may download these from the State Elections Division website:
   
• Step #1 - Register Your Campaign Committee with the City Elections Officer Form SEL 220 Candidate's Statement of Organization must be filed within three business days of receiving a contribution or making an expenditure, but no later than when the completed petition is filed or after the deadline for filing for candidacy. This form is not required if the candidate: Serves as his/her own treasurer; Does not already have an open campaign committee; and, Does not expect to receive or spend more than $300 for the entire election.
   
• Step #2 - File Your Prospective Petition with the City Elections Officer Complete the following 3 forms: SEL 120 Filing of Candidacy for Nonpartisan Nominations SEL 121 Petition for Nonpartisan Nomination * SEL 300 Statement of Paid or Unpaid Petition Circulators *The candidate must sign the first line on the signature sheet of the prospective petition. The elections officer must approve all signature sheets in writing before circulating. Failure to do so will result in the rejection of those signature sheets.
   
• Step #3 - File Your Completed Petition Circulate the approved petition (SEL121) for signatures. City Charter requires that prospective candidates must have their petitions signed by 20 electors, all of whom must be registered voters in the City of Milwaukie. Persons may not sign more than one petition for the same position. Signatures are certified by the County Clerk's office, so be sure to file your petition early just in case you need to gather a few more signatures. It is advisable to get more than the 20 required signatures just to be safe. Forms with insufficient signatures will be returned, and the nomination will not be accepted.
   
• Step #4 - Sign Acceptance Form Candidates will be notified by the elections officer of their nomination and must sign an acceptance form within five (5) days of receiving the notice. By signing this form the candidate agrees to serve if elected.
   
• Step #5 - Follow Campaign Finance Reporting Requirements. Be sure to review the contribution and expenditure reporting requirements and observe the filing deadlines. For detailed information regarding who must file and when, refer to the current Campaign Finance Manual or check with your elections officer. All forms for City elections are filed with and maintained by the City elections officer and are a matter of public record.

As the elections officer for the City of Milwaukie, the City Recorder is available as a resource during your candidacy. Please call Pat DuVal at 503.786.7502 if you have any questions on the election process or contact her by e-mail at duvalp@ci.milwaukie.or.us.

Other sources of election information are the Secretary of State Election Division 503.986.1518; and Clackamas County Elections Office, 503.656.8510.

The County Voters' Pamphlet Each candidate is responsible for his/her own voters pamphlet submission, which generally includes a current photograph, brief biography, and statement on issues. Milwaukie City Council positions are considered paid positions, so Clackamas County does charge a fee to the candidate. This fee is considered an expense so must be included on the contribution and expenditure reports.

Political Signs and Printed Material - What kind of signs are allowed?  Political signs are permitted in all zones of the City of Milwaukie. No permits are necessary if the signs meet these criteria: "Temporary signs which are non-illuminated, have an overall face area not exceeding sixteen square feet, are not permanently installed, and are intended to be located on property for short duration of time. Such signs may include, but are not limited to, real estate lease and sales, political signs, construction signs, garage sale, open house, special event and similar signs. Such signs shall only be posted for the duration of the activity." (Milwaukie Municipal Code Section 14.12.010(B))

Where can political signs be displayed? Signs must be placed on private property with the owner's permission. They must not be placed on public property or in the public right-of-way (i.e., streets, sidewalks, utility poles, parks, school grounds, etc.). Generally, the public right-of-way is all the property on the street side of utility poles, sidewalks, and fence lines. All signs found posted in the public right-of-way or affixed to power, utility, or traffic control poles other than city-approved traffic control signs and pole identification placards must be removed, or they will be confiscated.

Be aware, too, the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) has some stringent regulations. If you are considering posting political signs along Hwy. 224 or 99E (McLoughlin Blvd.), contact ODOT before doing so. How long can the political signs be displayed? The City of Milwaukie requests the signs be removed within ten (10) days after the election. Identification on Political Material The state does not enforce identification requirements. The Elections Division does, however, strongly recommend that identification be voluntarily included so the public knows who is authorizing the publication.

Resources on the Internet Quick facts (FAQs) about Elections in the City of Milwaukie - http://www.ci.milwaukie.or.us/citycouncil/council-election-frequently-asked-questions-faqs

Milwaukie Charter and Municipal Code - http://www.qcode.us/codes/milwaukie/

Clackamas County Elections Division - http://www.co.clackamas.or.us/elections/

State of Oregon Elections Division - http://www.sos.state.or.us/elections/elechp.htm