File petitions to place measures on the ballot

Guide
White icon on pink background. Petition.
On this page, you will find resources and information on how to submit initiative, referendum, or recall petitions for a vote by the people.
On this page

View a current list of 2024 City petitions and measures:

May 2024 Primary 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 5, 2024 City General Election:

First Day to File*July 5, 2022
Signatures Needed for Prospective Petitions Filed **40,748
Last Day to Submit Petition Signatures***July 5, 2024

* 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 Petitions Intended for the May 21, 2024 City Primary Election:

First Day to File*January 21, 2022
Signatures Needed for Prospective Petitions Filed**40,748
Last Day to Submit Petition Signatures***January 22, 2024

* 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 FileDate Ordinance Passes
Required Number of Signatures*27,165
Last Day to Submit Signatures30 Days After Date Ordinance Passes
Last Day to Submit Signatures to Place on November 5, 2024 Election**July 5, 2024

* 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 FileSix months into a City elected official's current term
Required Number of Signatures*46,217
Last Day to Submit Signatures90 days after filing a petition

* At least 15 percent of the votes cast for governor in the City of Portland 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

State Recall Manual


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. 

SEL 339 Form - Petition Submission

Contact

City Elections

City Elections Office

Louise Hansen

City Elections Officer

Location