City of Scappoose Mayor & Council Election November 5, 2024

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

City of Scappoose Mayor and Council Election Information 

June 1, 2024:  At the 2024 General Election on November 5, 2024, the Scappoose Mayor and three Councilor positions will appear on the ballot. 

            Mayor (2-year term)

            Presently held by Joseph A. Backus

            Councilor – 3 positions (4-year term)

            Presently held by Tyler Miller; Marisa Jacobs; and Ty Bailey

If you are interested in running for City Council, there are a few requirements you should be aware of:

Qualifications:        

Must be 18 years of age or older.

Must be registered to vote in Oregon.

Must have resided within the city limits of Scappoose during the 12 months prior to the election.

About Scappoose City Council

• City Council is composed of a Mayor and six Councilors.
• Terms are two years for Mayor and four years for Council, unless filling an unexpired term.
• Candidates must declare the position for which they are running (Mayor or Councilor).
• Candidates may only run for one position per election.
• Councilors must take an oath of office before commencing duties.
• Council meetings are held on the first and third Mondays of each month unless there is a holiday.
• Councilors must file an annual statement of economic interest with the Oregon Government Ethics Commission (OGEC).
• Serving as an elected official certainly requires a significant time commitment but is extremely rewarding.

Details on how to run for City Council are available online at www.scappoose.gov.

Candidate binders are available at Scappoose City Hall, 33568 East Columbia Avenue, Scappoose, Monday – Friday, from 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Candidates have two options to file: by declaration or by petition.  The filing period begins June 1, 2024.

Option 1 - Candidates Filing by Declaration

Per City of Scappoose Municipal Code, you have the option of filing a fee in lieu of obtaining signatures on a petition.  The current Candidate Filing Fee is $20 and may be paid in person at City Hall or online at City of Scappoose OR - Online Payments (pointandpay.net). Must submit Form SEL101 with payment.

Option 2 - Candidates Filing by Petition

Petition forms must be approved in writing by the City Elections Official before you begin to gather signatures.  After your petition is approved, the City Elections Official will return the form to you to start gathering signatures.  Scappoose candidates must collect 39 valid signatures to place a candidate on the ballot. 

Candidate nomination papers are filed with the city:

1. Form SEL101: Candidate Filing

2. Form SEL121: Candidate Signature Sheet – Nonpartisan

The candidate (or circulator) circulates approved signature sheets (SEL121) to collect signatures following the guidelines in the state’s candidate manual.

Signature sheets are submitted to the city elections officer when enough signatures have been collected. Candidates must include a SEL338: Candidate Petition Submission form when submitting signature sheets.

The City elections officer submits signature sheets to the county elections office for verification. Candidates are encouraged to submit signatures by August 16, 2024, to ensure there is enough time for verification.

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

Find candidate forms here: http://sos.oregon.gov/elections/Pages/electionforms.aspx.

Required Campaign Financing

As required by state law, candidates must follow campaign finance reporting requirements. Visit http://sos.oregon.gov/elections/Pages/manuals-tutorials.aspx to review the campaign finance reporting manuals. 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 candidate manual or check with the local elections officer in the State Elections Division at 503-986-1518, or Columbia County elections at 503-397-7214.

Withdrawal of Candidacy

To withdraw from the election, a candidate must file the SEL150 Candidate Filing Withdrawal form with the city elections officer no later than August 30, 2024, for the November 5, 2024, general and special election. Form SEL150 may be downloaded here: http://sos.oregon.gov/elections/Documents/SEL150.pdf

County Voters’ Pamphlet

Each candidate is responsible for their own voters’ pamphlet submission with the Columbia County elections office. This generally includes a photo, brief biography, and an issues statement. For more information, please contact Columbia County Elections at 503-397-7214.

Political Signs

Scappoose Municipal Code 17.114.040

D. Temporary Signs

1. Maximum sign area for a temporary portable sign, wall sign, or freestanding sign, on one face, shall not exceed 32 square feet. Maximum sign area for a temporary banner shall not exceed 48 square feet.

2. One temporary sign is allowed per street frontage.

3. Temporary signs may not be placed more than 60 days before an event and shall be removed within 14 days after the conclusion of the event.

4. Temporary signs may not be illuminated.

Miscellaneous

All election forms that are filed with the city are a matter of public record and will be released if requested.

The city elections officer (city recorder) is available as a resource during your candidacy. Please contact City Recorder Susan Reeves at 503-543-7146 or sreeves@scappoose.gov if you have any questions about the election process.

All required forms must be properly completed and returned to City Recorder Susan M. Reeves, City Elections Official, no later than 4:00 p.m. on August 16, 2024. Completed forms can be brought to City Hall in person or mailed. 

            Drop-off or Mail to:           City of Scappoose

                                                            City Recorder Susan M. Reeves

                                                            33568 East Columbia Avenue

                                                            Scappoose, OR 97056

If you mail your documents, you must follow-up with City Elections Official Susan M. Reeves to confirm that your document(s) were received by 4:00 p.m. August 16, 2024. Note: signatures must be verified by the county elections office by 5:00 p.m. on this day.

For more information, please visit the City’s website or contact City Elections Official Susan M. Reeves at 503-543-7146 or sreeves@scappoose.gov.