City Council Election

If you are interested in running for City Council, please review this information thoroughly including the attachments below.  If you have questions, contact City Elections Official Kathy Payne by email at kpayne@sthelensoregon.gov or by phone at (503)366-8217.  You may also pick up a Candidate binder at City Hall, 265 Strand Street, St. Helens.  City Hall hours are 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Positions

At the 2024 General Election on November 5, 2024, the St. Helens Mayor and two Councilor positions will appear on the ballot.  All positions are elected "at large," not by ward or district.

            Mayor (2-year term expiring December 31, 2026)

                        Presently held by Rick Scholl

          Councilor – 2 positions (4-year terms expiring December 31, 2028)

                   Presently held by Jessica Chilton and Russell Hubbard

Qualifications

To qualify as a candidate for Mayor or a City Councilor, you must:

• Be 18 years of age or older.
• Be registered to vote in Oregon.
• Have resided within the city limits of St. Helens during the 12 months immediately preceding the election.

Filing Dates

First Day to File:  No earlier than June 5, 2024

Last Day to File with City Elections Official:  No later than August 16, 2024 at 4:00 p.m.

How to File

Please review the following information thoroughly.  The 2024 Candidates Manual and 2024 Campaign Finance Manual will provide instructions to help you through the process.  These manuals are available online at the Secretary of State's Elections Division website.

STEP 1 - REGISTER* YOUR CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE

Prospective Candidates shall file a Candidate's Statement of Organization (Form SEL 220) with the Oregon Secretary of State's Elections Division.  This filing must take place within three (3) business days of receiving the first contribution or making an initial expenditure.  These filings are done electronically using ORESTAR.  See the 2024 Campaign Finance Manual for further information.  

*Note:  A candidate is not required to establish a campaign account, file a Statement of Organization or file contribution and expenditure reports, if all three of the following conditions are met:

1. The Candidate serves as the Candidate's own treasurer; and
2. The Candidate does not have an existing candidate committee; and
3. The candidate does not expect to receive or spend more than $750 during a calendar year.

STEP 2 - TWO OPTIONS FOR FILING FOR CANDIDACY

Nomination petitions and declarations of candidacy shall clearly indicate if you are filing for Mayor or a Councilor position.  

1. Candidates Filing by Declaration.  Per the St. Helens Municipal Code, a Candidate may file by declaration by completing the Candidate Filing form (SEL 101) and paying a $50 fee in lieu of obtaining signatures on a petition.  Checks should be made out to "City of St. Helens."  You may also pay online at https://www.sthelensoregon.gov/payments. 
2. Candidates Filing by Petition.  Candidates filing by petition must complete the Candidate Filing form (SEL 101) and the Candidate Signature Sheet | Nonpartisan form (SEL 121).  The Candidate Signature Sheet must be approved in writing by the City Elections Official prior to collecting signatures.  Failure to do so will result in the rejection of those signature sheets.  Candidates must collect a minimum of 64 valid signatures from active registered voters within at least 10% of the precincts in the City of St. Helens.  It is recommended that you collect more than the required number of signatures.  Note:  If you are filing by petition, you must complete and submit Form SEL338 when submitting the signatures sheets to the City Elections Officer.

►All candidates must also complete the Certification of Qualified Elector/Residency form below.

STEP 3 - FILING

The deadline to file your completed documents with the City Elections Official is 4:00 p.m. on August 16, 2024.  Please submit all required forms and fees by this deadline, including the Certification of Qualified Elector/Residency form.  You may submit forms in person, by mail, fax, or by scanning/emailing. 

            In person or by mail:           City of St. Helens
                                                            Attn: Kathy Payne
                                                            265 Strand Street
                                                            St. Helens, OR  97051

            Fax:                  (503)397-4016

            Scan/Email:     kpayne@sthelensoregon.gov

If mailing, faxing, or emailing, please confirm with the City Elections Officer that your materials have been received by 4:00 p.m. on August 16, 2024.

Withdrawal of Candidacy

To withdraw from candidacy, a candidate must file a Candidate Filing Withdrawal form (SEL 150) with the City Elections official.  This form must be filed no later than 5:00 p.m. on August 30, 2024.

Voters' Pamphlet Information

Candidates can file a statement in the Voters’ Pamphlet with the Columbia County Elections Division.  The deadline for submission is September 9, 2024, and the fee is $100. 

Instructions and forms for filing a candidate statement for inclusion in the Voters’ Pamphlet with the County are included in this packet and are also available online at https://www.columbiacountyor.gov/departments/Elections/candidate-resources.

Contact the Columbia County Elections Division at (503)397-7214 for further information.