Note: For resources related to the lobbyist and political consultant programs, visit the lobbying resources page.
Upcoming City Election Dates
Special Election: November 4, 2025
Primary Election: May 19, 2026
City Districts
See the Districts: District Boundaries Map (Visual Map Outlining Districts)
Find Your City District: Portland Interactive Map (Address Search Tool)
Information for Candidates
Run for Office
Below you will find all relevant information for running for office.
Run for office overview
Campaign Finance
Below you will find all relevant campaign finance information for running for office.
Campaign Finance Guide for the November 2024 General Municipal Election
Initiative, Referendum, and Recall Petitions
Initiative petition process
Referendum petition process
Recall petition process
City Charter, Code, and Auditor Administrative Rules
Chapter 3: Nominations and Elections
| Charter | Description |
|---|---|
| Article I General Procedure | Outlines general election procedures such as timing for taking office, primary and general election procedures, and the establishment of nonpartisan elections in the City. |
| Article II Initiative, Referendum, and Recall | Establishes City powers of initiative, referendum and recall. |
| Article III Campaign Finance in Candidate Elections | Establishes campaign finance regulations for City elections, including contribution limits and disclosures of large contributors. |
Title 2: Legislation & Elections
| City Code | Description |
|---|---|
| City Code 2.02 General Provisions | Outlines the general provisions for City elections, establishes the City Elections Officer, and establishes the applicability of state law for City elections. |
| City Code 2.04 Initiatives and Referendum Process | Establishes the procedure for submitting petitions to place initiatives and referendums on the ballot for voters. It also establishes the procedure for placing City-referred measures on the ballot for voters. |
| City Code 2.08 Nomination and Election of Candidates | Establishes City candidate qualifications, and the elections process with ranked choice voting, tie votes, and write-in candidates. It also prescribes the candidate withdrawal process, reaffirms the usage of nonpartisan elections for City offices, and establishes deference to state law for recall elections. |
| City Code 2.09 Accessibility of Candidate Debates and Forums | Defines the term "accessible" and requires accessibility for City candidate forums open to the public. |
| City Code 2.10 Campaign Finance in Candidate Elections | Implements campaign finance regulations for City elections, including contribution limits and disclosures of large contributors. |
| City Code 2.16 Small Donor Elections Program | City Elections Division does not administer the City’s publicly financed matching program. For all questions related to the Small Donor Elections Program, contactsmalldonorelections@portlandoregon.gov. |
Auditor Administrative Rules: Campaign Finance
| ARAs | Description |
|---|---|
| ARA 13.01 Purpose, Authority, and Construction | Establishes the purpose, authority, and construction for administrative rules related to the City's campaign finance regulations. |
| ARA 13.02 Definitions | Defines and clarifies terminology used in the campaign finance regulations. |
| ARA 13.03 Campaign Finance: Complaint Process | Creates the process for filing complaints alleging violations of the campaign finance regulations. |
| ARA 13.04 Campaign Finance: Disclosure Requirements | Clarifies the campaign finance regulation's disclosure requirements for City candidate elections. |
| ARA 13.05 Campaign Finance: Contribution Limits | Defines campaign contribution limits for City Candidates. |
| Appendix A for ARA 13 Campaign Finance | Inflation Chart Appendix for Contribution Limits, Dominant Contributor Threshold, and Threshold for Requiring Certain Disclosures. |
| Appendix B for ARA 13 Campaign Finance | Clarification Appendix for the definition of Candidate, Candidate Committee, Contribution, Expenditure, Independent Expenditure, and Political Committee. |
Additional Administrative Rules
| Administrative Rules | Description |
|---|---|
| ADM 2.01 Payment of Special Election Costs | Directs the City to specify the fund or funds bearing the cost of a special election |
Frequently Asked Questions
The City Elections Division fields many questions from voters, candidates, City employees, and elected officials. For answers on questions related to City elections, visit our Frequently Asked Questions page.
If you are unable to find your question or for more immediate assistance, contact the City Elections Division at elections@portlandoregon.gov. Our Division generally responds within two business days.
Enforcement
View enforcement of lobbying and political consultant regulations that result in civil penalties.
View all completed campaign finance investigations.
For City Employees: Restrictions on Political Activities
City employees are restricted from engaging in certain political activities while on the job or acting in their official capacity. The City Elections Division has compiled a list of resources available for City employees. If you have further questions, please visit our Political Activities Section of our Frequently Asked Questions.
Ethics Information Resources
Visit the City Attorney's Ethics Information Resources page.
For questions about these rules and how they might apply to a specific situation, please contact the City Attorney's Office | Portland.gov. You may contact City Elections Officer Louise Hansen at 503-865-6503 or louise.hansen@portlandoregon.gov for additional written guidance and training regarding the elections laws. For questions regarding activities allowed or prohibited while on the job please contact Ron Zito in BHR at ronald.zito@portlandoregon.gov.
For City Employees: City Referred Measure Guide
City Referred Measure Guide 2025-2026
Other Jurisdiction Resources
The City Elections Office assists candidates and petitioners with the filing process, determines the number of signatures required for various City petitions, enforces the City’s campaign finance regulations, and enforces political activities for City employees. For any other questions related to elections, please refer to the County and State Elections Contact Information page to contact one of the various elections offices.
Oregon Secretary of State Manuals and State Regulations
State Elections Manuals
County, City, and District Candidate Manual
County, City, and District Initiative and Referendum Manual
State Regulations