A list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) regarding the Write-In Candidate process for the City.
- Can I write-in a candidate for election in the City of Portland contests?
- What is the process to become a certified write-in candidate in the City of Portland?
- What are the qualifications for write-in candidates?
- When is the last day to file to become a certified write-in candidate?
- What else should voters and candidates know about the certified write-in process?
- Why did the write-in process change?
- What is the City Elections Office going to do to ensure certified write-ins are qualified for office?
- When will the information about write-in candidates become available to the public?
Can I write-in a candidate for election in the City of Portland contests?
Yes. Voters can write-in candidates in the space provided on the ballot for each contest and rank them according to their preference. All write-in candidates must file a certification application with the Office by October 29, 2024, to have their votes individually tallied and to become elected.
What is the process to become a certified write-in candidate in the City of Portland?
Write-in certification occurs by filing the write-in form (AUD 141) available on the Elections website with the City Elections Office. Individuals may complete the form and email it to elections@portlandoregon.gov or contact the office to schedule an appointment to file in person.
Per City Code Chapter 2.08.080, write-in candidates must submit a certification to the City Elections Office that they meet necessary qualifications and will serve if elected.
All certified write-in application filings must be filed with the Elections Office by October 29, 2024.
What are the qualifications for write-in candidates?
The qualifications for write-in candidates are the same for all candidates that file to appear on the ballot, except they file to certify their qualifications and willingness to serve (on form AUD 141), and no filing fee or nominating petition is required. All candidate qualification information can be found on page 7 of the City’s 2024 Candidate Guide.
When is the last day to file to become a certified write-in candidate?
All write-in candidates must file a write-in certification form (AUD 141) with the Office by October 29, 2024, to be eligible for election.
What else should voters and candidates know about the certified write-in process?
No matter how many voters write-in a candidate in a City contest, a write-in candidate cannot be elected unless they are certified with the Elections Office prior to the election.
In all instances, if there are certified write-in candidates in a City contest, those certified write-in candidate’s individual votes will be tallied following final tabulation.
If there are no certified write-in candidates for a City contest, the total write-ins will be tallied together and no individual write-in vote totals will be available.
If there are certified write-ins in any contest AND in any round of tabulation the vote total for all write-in candidates combined equals or exceeds the election threshold in the round, the write-ins will be disaggregated before proceeding.
Write-in candidates are subject to City Campaign Finance regulations and may be required to establish a campaign committee with the Oregon Secretary of State. Visit the City’s campaign finance website for more information.
Why did the write-in process change?
In April of 2023, City Council adopted changes to the City Elections Code to implement voter-approved Charter Changes (Measure 26-228). These changes included adopting ranked-choice voting and how to incorporate write-in candidates in the process. Public input, Council testimony, elections stakeholders, and alignment with most states that allow write-ins informed the change to pre-election certified write-in process.
What is the City Elections Office going to do to ensure certified write-ins are qualified for office?
The City Elections Office will conduct the same thorough and timely qualifications process for each certified write-in candidate as it does for all other candidates. The office plans to communicate timely with all write-in candidates to gather, vet, and ensure accurate information and qualification for office during this condensed timeline.
After reviewing applications, the City Elections Office submits the list of certified candidates to Multnomah County Elections by November 1, 2024.
When will the information about write-in candidates become available to the public?
Certified write-in candidate information will be available from the City Elections Office website by November 1, 2024.
Have additional questions? Please contact the City Elections Office at elections@portlandoregon.gov or 503-865-4022