How to File for Candidacy

We appreciate your interest in running for the King City (the “City”) Council.

The City will have three (3)  at-large Council Positions coming open in 2024. The winners of the election will complete a 4 - year term that will commence on January 1, 2025. The City Elections Officer (the “City Recorder”) will accept nomination papers comprising a petition 70 days from the general election.

This guide is intended to provide an overview of the local election process. For detailed background on the process, refer to the King City Charter and Municipal Code at: https://library.municode.com/or/king_city/codes/municipal_code?nodeId=KICH.

In addition, to understanding King City regulations, candidates also need to be aware of State requirements and reference the current publications posted on the Oregon Secretary of State Elections Division website; candidates should visit the State Elections website to view and access all necessary information publications and forms.

http://sos.oregon.gov/elections/Pages/laws-rules-publications.aspx.

Also, the Washington County Elections website is a valuable resource for local candidates; visit https://www.co.washington.or.us/AssessmentTaxation/Elections/.

As your City Elections Officer, I am here as a resource; please get in touch with me with any questions at 503-639-4082 or e-mail rsmith@ci.king-city.or.us. If you plan to file your papers or have questions about the process, please call or e-mail me to ensure I am in the office and available. Please be aware that the City Elections Officer must approve signature sheets before they may be circulated to collect signatures – all documents provided to the City are a matter of public record. You may also contact the Secretary of State’s Office at 503-986-1518 and Washington County Elections at 503-846-5800 with any questions.


Important Dates:
First Tuesday after the first Monday in November. (ORS 255.345)

Please be aware that the legislature may choose to call a special election at any time.


Qualifications for Candidacy

  • Must be a City of King City resident during the six (6) months immediately preceding the KCMC 2.30.010
  • Must be a qualified elector in the State of Oregon.

About the City Council

  • The City of King City has seven (7) Councilors who serve the citizens of our community in a volunteer capacity. The City Council appoints the Mayor’s position. Charter Section 4.02
  • The Council positions 1, 2, 4, and 5 are open for the November 8, 2022, General Election. (The positions are elected “at large,” not by )
  • All Council members are elected at-large.
  • Terms are four (4) years.
  • Councilors must take an Oath of Office before commencing duties. 
  • Councilors must file an annual “Statement of Economic Interest” with the Oregon Government Ethics Commission (OGEC).

How to File for Candidacy – Candidates Filing by Petition:
Approved candidate filing forms are available from the City Recorder/Elections Officer, or you may download them directly from the State Elections Division website at http://sos.oregon.gov/elections/Pages/electionforms.aspx or the Washington County Elections website at: https://www.co.washington.or.us/AssessmentTaxation/Elections/Forms/filing-forms.cfm

Step #1:

Establish your Candidate Committee
by completing the following form with the Secretary of State, Elections Division:

1.       Form SEL220: Statement of Organization for Candidate Committee http://sos.oregon.gov/elections/Documents/SEL220.pdf, and

NOTE: SEL220 must be filed within three (3) business days of receiving a campaign contribution or making an expenditure; please refer to the Campaign Finance Manual (see link in Step #5), as filing these forms is not required under certain limited circumstances.


Step #2: 

File the following two forms with the City Elections Officer (City Recorder):

 Please note that all information on the following forms is open to public records requests and placed on the City and County website.

1.       Form SEL101: Candidate Filing http://sos.oregon.gov/elections/Documents/SEL101.pdf, and

2.      Form SEL121: Candidate Signature Sheet – Nonpartisan
http://sos.oregon.gov/elections/Documents/SEL121.pdf

According to the City Charter, all nomination papers comprising a petition shall be assembled and filed together with the City Elections Officer not later than 70 days before the election.

Before circulating, all signature sheets must be approved (see Step #3) in writing by the City Elections Officer. Failure to do so will result in the rejection of those signature sheets. Each prospective candidate must determine in advance which position they plan to run for.


Step #3:

The City’s Elections Officer reviews the prospective petition and provides written approval prior to the candidate circulating the petition. Call to make an appointment at (503)639-4082. Be sure to fill out all required information on forms SEL 101 and SEL 121 before making the appointment. 


Step #4:

The Candidate Circulates the Signature Sheets

The candidate (or circulator) circulates approved petition sheets (SEL121) to collect signatures following the guidelines in the State’s Candidate Manual (see link in step #5). The City of King City Municipal Code (section 2.30.030 (c) Ord. 0-92-6 § 1 (part),1992) requires candidates to acquire a minimum of 25 valid signatures to qualify for the ballot. It is recommended that more than 25 signatures be collected.

When a sufficient number of signatures have been collected, the candidate must submit the unverified signatures with form SEL 338 Petition Submission to the City Elections Officer. The City Elections Officer will then submit the signatures to the Washington County Elections Office for verification. Candidates are strongly encouraged to submit signatures well in advance of the filing deadline, as verification can take up to 15 days. Petitions with insufficient signatures will be returned to the candidate to acquire more signatures, provided the filing deadline has not passed.


Step #5

Follow Campaign Finance Reporting Requirements

Visit https://sos.oregon.gov/elections/Documents/campaign-finance.pdf

To learn more about the 2022 Campaign Finance Manual. 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, Secretary of State at 503-986-1518, or Washington County Elections at 503-846-5800.


 

The County Voters’ Pamphlet:
If you choose to have a write-up in the County Voters Pamphlet, you need to deliver your pamphlet materials directly to the Washington County Elections Office,        2925 NE Aloclek Drive, Suite: 170, Hillsboro, OR 97124-7523 The City cannot accept County Voters Pamphlet materials. The phone number for the Washington County Elections Office is 503-846- 5800. The candidate fee is $50 as King City has more than 1,000 registered voters.

The form can be found at:
https://www.co.washington.or.us/AssessmentTaxation/Elections/Forms/upload/JCVP-01-020221.pdf       



 Political Signs and Printed Material:

What kinds of signs are allowed?

If you plan to post election signs, please be sure they are not posted anywhere in the public right of way. When you post your signs on private or business property, please make sure you have permission from the property owner. Naturally, it is your responsibility to ensure all your campaign signs are removed within two days following the election. KCMC16.148


Miscellaneous
All forms for City elections filed with and maintained by the City Elections Officer are a matter of public record.

As the Elections Officer for the City of King City, the City Recorder is available as a resource during your candidacy. Please note that the staff can not give legal advice.

Please call the City Recorder at 503-639-4082 if you have any questions on the election process or contact him by e-mail at rsmith@ci.king-city.or.us.


 

Forms:
Below are the following mandatory forms: