File #: 24-527    Version: 1
Type: Action Item Status: Passed
In control: City Council
On agenda: 1/13/2025 Final action: 1/13/2025
Title: Designation of May 20, 2025, as the date for a special election to fill the vacant council position for Ward 6. Ward(s): All Wards Councilor(s): All Councilors Neighborhood(s): All Neighborhoods Result Area(s): Good Governance
Related files:

TO:                      Mayor and City Council   

THROUGH:                      Keith Stahley, City Manager   

FROM:                      Dan Atchison, City Attorney  

                                          

SUBJECT:

title

 

Designation of May 20, 2025, as the date for a special election to fill the vacant council position for Ward 6.   

 

Ward(s): All Wards    

Councilor(s): All Councilors    

Neighborhood(s):  All Neighborhoods    

Result Area(s): Good Governance

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SUMMARY:

summary

 

Julie Hoy was elected mayor at the November 5, 2024, General Election. Her Ward 6 councilor position became vacant upon her assuming the office of Mayor on January 13, 2025. City Council must designate an election date to fill the Ward 6 vacancy because there is more than one year to the next primary election (May 2026). The Ward 6 position will be on the May 2026 ballot for election.   

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ISSUE:

 

Shall City Council designate May 20, 2025, as the date for a special election to fill the vacant council position for Ward 6 for the remainder of the term through 2026? 

 

RECOMMENDATION:

recommendation

 

Designate May 20, 2025, as the date for a special election to fill the vacant council position for Ward 6 for the remainder of the term through 2026. 

 

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FACTS AND FINDINGS:

 

Section 20 of the Charter provides that, at the time a vacancy occurs, if there is more than one year to the next primary election, the vacancy shall be filled at a special election at the next available date. The next primary election is not until May 2026, which is more than one year away. Therefore, the position must be filled by special election. The next date for a special election is March 11, 2025, however, the deadline to file for that election was January 9, 2025, and the next available special election is May 20, 2025.  

 

May 20, 2025, is a District Election and may include items from districts, such as the school district, fire districts, transit, and others. If there are items on the May 2025 election, the cost of the election would be shared with other governmental entities that have items on the ballot. The Marion County Election’s Office estimates the City’s cost for the Ward 6 portion of the election is between $2,150 to $3,450, with the actual cost to be determined after the election results are certified.

 

To qualify for the ballot a prospective candidate must:

                     Be a resident of Ward 6 for at least 12 months prior to being elected,

                     Be a qualified elector (voter), and

                     Obtain 50 signatures from qualified voters within Ward 6 on a nominating petition.

 

Important dates for the May 20, 2025, election are:

 

                     February 8, 2025 - First day to file declaration of candidacy or nominating petition with City Recorder.

 

                     March 11, 2025 - Deadline for potential Ward 6 candidates to submit nominating petitions to City Recorder (SRC 11.040).

 

                     March 20, 2025 - Deadline for City to submit notice to Marion County Clerk for the special election (ORS 254.095).

 

                     March 24, 2025 - Last day to file candidate statements to the Marion County Clerk for inclusion in the voters’ pamphlet.

 

Information about how to become a candidate for the Ward 6 position and links to access candidate forms and election manuals are available on the City’s Website at <https://www.cityofsalem.net/government/city-council-mayor/elections-run-for-elected-city-office>. Interested Ward 6 residents can also contact the City Recorder’s Office at cityrecorder@cityofsalem.net <mailto:cityrecorder@cityofsalem.net> or by calling 503-588-6097.

 

Generally, the process to become a candidate involves the following steps:

 

 

Step 1: Candidate Filing

 

1.                     Make an appointment to meet with the City Recorder for a candidate briefing.

2.                     The following items must be completed for submission at the candidate briefing:

o                     Form SEL 101: Candidate Filing - Major Political Party or Nonpartisan

o                     Form SEL 121: Candidate Signature Sheet

3.                     If approved, the Recorder will provide a letter granting permission to circulate signature sheet.

 

Step 2: Collect and Verify Signatures:

 

1.                     Prior to gathering signatures, the signature sheets must first be approved by the City Recorder.

2.                     Circulate signature sheets, begin collecting signatures from qualified voters in Ward 6. It’s recommended to collect 15% more than the required 50 signatures. 

3.                     Submit the signature sheets to City Recorder, along with Form SEL 338: Petition Submission, by the filing deadline listed above.

4.                     The City Recorder will review the signatures.

5.                     The City Recorder will submit the signature sheets to the County Elections Official for signature verification.

 

Once the signature verification process is complete, the City Recorder will inform the prospective candidate if their filing is complete or if additional signatures are needed.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

                     Amy Johnson     

                     City Recorder    

 

Attachments:

None.