Local election deadline nears

ROSEBURG, Ore. – A deadline is approaching for local candidates who are considering running in the Tuesday, Nov. 5, general election.

The filing period for candidates who would like to run in the city election remains open until 5 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 27.

However, those interested in running for Roseburg mayor or City Council seats are running out of time to complete a multi-step process to get their names on the ballot. Before completing any filing forms, prospective candidates are encouraged to set up an appointment with Roseburg City Recorder Amy Nytes to review the election process by emailing anytes@cityofroseburg.org or calling 541-492-6866.

“I think the more candidates, the better. It’s good that we have people willing to serve,” Nytes said. “With the deadline quickly approaching, I encourage anyone interested to call and schedule a meeting with me as soon as possible.”

The following offices are up for election:

Mayor – Two-year term ending Dec. 31, 2026;

Councilor, Ward 1, Position 2 – Four-year term ending Dec. 31, 2028;

Councilor, Ward 2, Position 2 – Four-year term ending Dec. 31, 2028;

Councilor, Ward 3, Position 2 – Four-year term ending Dec. 31, 2028;

Councilor, Ward 4, Position 2 – Four-year term ending Dec. 31, 2028.

Winning candidates would take the oath of office and begin serving in January 2025.

So far, Roseburg Mayor Larry Rich and Ward 3 Councilor Tom Michalek have qualified with enough signatures to run on the ballot. Ward 2 Councilor Andrea Zielinski is canvassing for signatures, another person is gathering signatures to run in Ward 3 and two people who turned in candidate filing forms are gathering signatures to run in Ward 4. No one has indicated they’d like to run for the Ward 1 seat by turning in a candidate filing form or meeting with the City Recorder.

Running for office involves several steps. Candidates must first register to run by filing an SEL 101 form, or initial candidate filing form, with the City Recorder. Candidates must have lived in Roseburg at least a year prior to filing and include their legal residential address on the form. For the first time, they can choose to have their address exempted from public disclosure by marking that box on the form, but then also must fill out an SEL 180 form, Nytes said.

The candidate’s next step is to fill out an SEL 121 form, a candidate signature sheet also known as a nominating petition, to obtain signatures from registered voters. Candidates for mayor must get 50 signatures from registered Roseburg voters on their nomination petition. Candidates for City Council must get 20 signatures from registered voters living in their ward. Ward boundaries can be found on the online City Ward Map.

Once candidates turn in nomination petitions and voter signatures, the city recorder verifies petitions were filled out correctly and submits the petitions to the Douglas County Elections Division so signatures can be verified.

Nytes recommends turning in the required paperwork at least a week before the final deadline.

“Please give yourself enough time in case there are any filing issues and you need to get more signatures,” she said. “If you turn your form in for the first time on Aug. 27, it’s possible you may not make it onto the ballot.”

Candidates can find more information about the election process, including how to file to run for office, and nomination petition forms on the City’s Elections Information webpage. In the online candidate information packet, they also

can find information about how to legally post general election campaign signs and other materials in the 90-day period before the election. By law, campaign signs can be up from Wednesday, Aug. 7, through Friday, Nov. 8 – three days after the election.

Residents who see campaign signs placed illegally should report the signs as soon as possible to the Roseburg Public Works Department at pwd@cityofroseburg.org or 541-492-6730. Signs found to be violating state law or City Code will be removed and stored at the Roseburg Public Works Shop, 425 NE Fulton St., for 10 days so owners can collect them.

Candidates also must adhere to state law by filing campaign finance reports online with the Oregon Secretary of State’s office. Learn more about running for public office on the Oregon Secretary of State website. Learn more about campaign finance reporting deadlines and other requirements in the Secretary of State’s online 2024 Campaign Finance Manual.