Getting Started
Before applying to participate in Small Donor Elections, our office encourages candidates to review a copy of the candidate guide:
It has helpful information about the rules, timelines, and matching formulas that candidates would run under. And candidates can use the guide to evaluate whether the program is right for their campaign
Here is the timeline of key SDE dates to keep in mind for the 2024 election cycle:
If a candidates has decided that they would like to apply to participate in Small Donor Elections, they must turn in these forms
Collecting Donations
When a candidate files their Notice of Intent, ACH Authorization, and W9 Form, our office will review the application. We will then notify the candidate if the application is approved and they can start raising the matchable donations to qualify for matching funds. Candidates should use and refer to these documents while raising funds:
Reporting Donations
As candidates raise funds, they must report their contributions and expenditures to our office along the same timeline that they report to the Secretary of State’s office—which is every 30 days until the final 6 weeks, when it’s every 7 days. This spreadsheet can serve as a helpful template. But campaigns must report using the website OpenElectionsPortland.org, and not via spreadsheet (unless directed to by program staff).
Applying for Certification
Once candidates have collected the required number of contributions, they can then apply for certification. If candidates are certified, then they can begin receiving matching funds for their eligible donations
Other
These other forms are for unique circumstances throughout the election. Please contact our office if you have questions about them
Only after getting a response to the Request for Reconsideration form, may an appeal be filed with the City of Portland's Hearings Office