View a current list of 2024 City petitions and measures:
November 2024 General Petition and Measures
City Initiative Petitions
The City initiative petition process allows Portland voters to directly propose City ordinance and Charter amendments. If enough registered Portland voters sign the petition, the initiative becomes a ballot measure on a primary or general election in even-numbered years.
Initiative Petitions Intended for the November 3, 2026 City General Election:
| First Day to File* | July 3, 2024 |
|---|---|
| Signatures Needed for Prospective Petitions Filed ** | 40,437 |
| Last Day to Submit Petition Signatures*** | July 3, 2026 |
* Two years and four months before the intended election
** At least nine percent of the number of registered voters in the City as of the primary election immediately before the petition is filed
*** Four months before the intended election
Initiative Petition Manuals
2022 City Initiative Petition Manual
State Manual on Local Initiatives and Referendums
City Referendum Petitions
The City referendum petition process allows Portland voters to take action regarding ordinances passed by City Council. If enough registered Portland voters sign the petition, the referendum becomes a ballot measure on a primary or general election in even-numbered years.
| First Day to File | Date Ordinance Passes |
|---|---|
| Required Number of Signatures* | 26,958 |
| Last Day to Submit Signatures | 30 Days After Date Ordinance Passes |
| Last Day to Submit Signatures to Place on November 3, 2026 Election** | July 3, 2026 |
* At least six percent of the number of registered voters in the City as of the primary election immediately before the petition is filed
** Four months before the intended election
Referendum Petition Manuals
2020 City Referendum Petition Manual
State Manual on Local Initiatives and Referendums
Recall Petitions
Article II, Section 18 of the Oregon Constitution provides that “every public officer in Oregon is subject, as herein provided, to recall by the electors of the state or of the electoral district from which the public officer is elected.” If enough registered voters in the City sign a petition for a recall, an election is held.
The process for recalls is dictated by state law. For questions or more information on the recall process, please contact the Oregon Secretary of State's Elections Division.
| First Day to File | Six months into a City elected official's current term |
|---|---|
| Last Day to Submit Signatures | 90 days after filing a petition |
| Required Number of Signatures (Mayor/Auditor)* | 46,217 |
| Required Number of Signatures (City Council)* | -- |
* At least 15 percent of the votes cast for governor in the public officer's district during the last election at which a candidate for Governor was elected to a full term
Resources for Recall Petitions
City Elections Office Recall Process Page
Filing Forms for Prospective Initiative and Referendum Petitions
NOTE: These forms must be submitted to the City Elections Office for approval before gathering signatures.
SEL 370 Form - Local Initiative and Referendum Prospective Petition
SEL 371 Form - Local Initiative and Referendum Signature Sheet
SEL 369 Form - Local Initiative and Referendum Cover Sheet
SEL 348 Form - Local Initiative and Referendum Electronic Signature Sheet
Filing Forms for Prospective Recall Petitions
NOTE: These forms must be submitted to the City Elections Office for approval before gathering signatures.
SEL 350 Form (PDF) - Recall Prospective Petition
SEL 350 Form (Online) - Recall Prospective Petition
SEL 351 Form - Recall Signature Sheet
SEL 353 Form - Local Recall Cover Sheet
SEL 349 - Local Recall Electronic Signature Sheet
Form for Submitting Petition with Signatures
- For Initiatives and Referendums: Petitioners must submit the Petition Submission Form and signatures at least four months before an intended election.
- For Recalls: Petitioners must submit the Petition Submission Form and signatures at least 90 days after filing the prospective petition forms.