justicedao/ipfs_state_laws huggingface dataset:
165-014-0028 Review of Proposed Initiative Measures for Procedural Constitutional Compliance (1) The Secretary of State will review a proposed initiative measure submitted under the authority of Article IV, section 1 of the Oregon Constitution and ORS 250.045 to determine if it complies with the procedural requirements established in the Oregon Constitution for initiative petitions. This review will include, but not necessarily be limited to, whether a proposed initiative measure: “embraces one subject only and matters properly connected therewith,” constitutes an “amendment” to the constitution, or proposes a single amendment to the Constitution or separate amendments that must be submitted separately. The Secretary will not review any prospective petition for substantive constitutional or legal sufficiency. (2) The Secretary of State will conduct the review of proposed initiative measures for procedural constitutional compliance during the period when the draft ballot title and certified ballot title are prepared. (3) The Secretary of State will distribute a copy of the text of the proposed initiative measure in the same manner as provided by rule for statewide notice of the opportunity to provide comment on draft ballot titles prepared by the Attorney General. The Secretary will seek comment from interested persons regarding whether the proposed initiative measure complies with procedural constitutional requirements, including those described in section (1) above. Comments must be filed within the same time period as provided for comments on the sufficiency of the draft ballot title. (4) The Secretary of State will notify in writing the chief petitioners of the results of the Secretary’s review for compliance with the procedural constitutional requirements for proposed initiative measures. The notification will also be sent to any interested persons who submitted timely comments to the Secretary, in the same manner as provided for notification of the certified ballot title provided by the Attorney General. (5) The Secretary of State will not approve for circulation the form of the cover and signature sheet filed by a chief petitioner(s) if the Secretary determines that the proposed initiative measure fails to comply with the constitutional procedural requirements for a proposed initiative measure. (6) The Secretary of State’s notice issued pursuant to section (4) is a final order. Review of this order may be sought under ORS 183.484 or 246.910 in the Marion County Circuit Court. Statutory/Other Authority: ORS 246.120, 246.150 & OR Const. §1, Art. IV & §1 & Art. XVII Statutes/Other Implemented: ORS 246.120, 246.150 & OR Const. §1, Art. IV & §1 & Art. XVII History: ELECT 11-1998, f. & cert. ef. 11-3-98 SD 29-1986, f. & ef. 10-10-86 SD 26-1986(Temp), f. & ef. 9-15-86
165-014-0090 Time for Withdrawal of Prospective Petition Text in ORMS History: Reverted to ELECT 34-1990, f. & cert. ef. 9-14-90 ELECT 34-1990, f. & cert. ef. 9-14-90 ELECT 30-1990(Temp), f. & cert. ef. 7-23-90 Sunset on 09-28-2017
165-014-0275 Completion of Optional Information on Petition Sheets (1) The purpose of this rule is to establish standards governing what an Elections Official will review for in determining if there has been a violation of ORS 260.567. This rule applies to all state and local initiative, referendum, recall and candidate nominating petitions. (2) A petition signature sheet will be rejected for noncompliance with ORS 260.567 and not included in the sample if: (a) The same handwriting appears to have completed the optional information on all lines of the petition sheet; (b) Optional information on all lines has been entered, altered, corrected, clarified or obscured by typewriting or other mechanical means; (d) For any other reason the Elections Official determines from the face of the signature sheet that a person or persons other than the petition signers entered, altered, corrected, clarified or obscured any information about the person who signed the signature sheet, including the optional fields of printed name, residence address and date signed. (3) If the same handwriting appears to have completed the optional information on multiple lines only the first signature line will be included in the sample. All other lines will be rejected for noncompliance with ORS 260.567 and will not be included in the sample. (4) Notwithstanding paragraphs (2) and (3) of this rule, a signature sheet or an individual signature line will not be rejected for noncompliance with ORS 260.567 if: (a) Each entry or change of information made by a person other than the signer, was subsequently initialed by the person who signed the signature sheet; or (b) Each entry or change of information occurred with regard to a signer who is a person with a disability who requested assistance in writing, altering, correcting, clarifying or obscuring on the petition sheet any information about the person. (5) For purposes of this rule, “optional information” means information in the optional fields of printed name, residence address and date signed. Statutory/Other Authority: ORS 246.150 Statutes/Other Implemented: ORS 260.567 History: ELECT 14-2011, f. & cert. ef. 8-4-11 ELECT 24-2007, f. & cert. ef. 12-31-07
165-014-0285 Circulating Unpaid Petitions by Paid Petition Circulators Under ORS 250.048(9), a person may not obtain signatures on a petition or prospective petition for which the person is being paid and, at the same time, obtain signatures on a petition or prospective petition for which the person is not being paid. For purposes of ORS 250.048(9), “at the same time” means during any time period for which the person is being paid to circulate any petition or prospective petition. “At the same time” does not include any lunch or other break period for which a person is not paid to circulate any such petition, as reflected in the person’s payroll records required to be submitted under OAR 165-014-0100. Statutory/Other Authority: ORS 246.150 Statutes/Other Implemented: ORS 250.048 History: ELECT 8-2010, f. & cert. ef. 11-5-10
165-016-0000 Designating the State Voters’ Pamphlet Manual and Forms The Secretary of State designates the State Voters’ Pamphlet Manual, revised 1/2026 and associated forms as the procedures and forms to be used to submit candidate statements, measure arguments, statements of arguments by any political party or assembly of electors, arguments in support of a legislative referral, and filer submitted translations allowed by statute, explanatory statements, financial estimates and statements, statements prepared by the Legislative Counsel Committee under ORS 251.225, and a community college district measure relating to bonding, a county measure, or a metropolitan service district measure submitted under ORS 251.285. [ED. NOTE: To view attachments referenced in rule text, click here to view rule.] Statutory/Other Authority: ORS 246.150, 251.014, 251.065, 251.075, 251.255, 251.087, 251.115, 251.095, 251.167, 251.170, 251.012, 251.055 & SB 1014 (2025) Statutes/Other Implemented: 251.065, 251.075, 251.255, 251.046, 251.085, 251.087, 251.115, 251.285, 251.095, 251.167, 251.170, 251.185, 251.026, SB 1538 (2024), SB 1533 (2024) & SB 1014 (2025) History: ELECT 1-2026, amend filed 01/16/2026, effective 01/19/2026 ELECT 5-2025, temporary amend filed 09/11/2025, effective 09/11/2025 through 03/09/2026 ELECT 3-2024, amend filed 01/19/2024, effective 01/22/2024 ELECT 24-2022, temporary amend filed 08/23/2022, effective 08/23/2022 through 02/04/2023 ELECT 22-2022, temporary amend filed 08/08/2022, effective 08/09/2022 through 02/04/2023 ELECT 11-2022, amend filed 02/02/2022, effective 02/04/2022 ELECT 12-2021, temporary amend filed 12/22/2021, effective 12/22/2021 through 03/07/2022 ELECT 2-2020, amend filed 02/26/2020, effective 02/26/2020 ELECT 8-2018, amend filed 02/27/2018, effective 02/27/2018 ELECT 2-2016, f. & cert. ef. 7-6-16 ELECT 13-2015, f. 12-31-15, cert. ef. 1-1-16 ELECT 9-2014, f. & cert. ef. 3-11-14
165-016-0095 Inclusion Fees for County and Metropolitan Service District Measures (1) The purpose of this rule is to establish a schedule of fees for community college districts, counties or metropolitan service districts filing measures to be included in the State Voters' Pamphlet. (2) Each argument for a county, community college district or metropolitan service district measure filed with the county must be accompanied by a filing fee not to exceed $300 or a verified petition containing not more than a number of signatures equal to 1,000 electors eligible to vote on the measure or 10 percent of the total of such electors, whichever is less. (3) The county, community college district or metropolitan service district shall pay the Secretary of State a fee for each argument based on the population of the county or district. The fee schedule is as follows: (a) For a county or district with a population of less than 10,000 within a county — $100.00; (b) For a county or district with a population between 10,000 and 50,000 within a county — $200.00; (c) For a county or district with a population over 50,000 within a county or service district — $300. (4) Each page consumed by the ballot title and explanatory statement will be billed to the county or district at the same rate described in section (3) of this rule. Statutory/Other Authority: ORS 246.150 Statutes/Other Implemented: ORS 251.285 History: ELECT 8-2018, amend filed 02/27/2018, effective 02/27/2018 ELECT 6-2010, f. & cert. ef. 11-1-10 ELECT 7-2006, f. & cert. ef. 4-18-06 ELECT 15-2000, f. & cert. ef. 8-7-00 ELECT 3-2000, f. & cert ef. 1-14-00 ELECT 8-1998, f. & cert. ef. 6-2-98 ELECT 4-1998(Temp), f. & cert. ef. 2-23-98 thru 4-21-98
165-020-0007 Form SEL 704 as Cash/Security Deposit The Secretary of State hereby designates Form SEL 704 to comply with ORS 198.775 in contents required in filing a Cash/Security Deposit. Form SEL 704 shall be the deposit form and shall contain: (1) Name of district to be annexed, formed, withdrawn or dissolved. (2) Number of precincts in the district. (3) Number of dollars to be charged for each precinct. (4) Total deposit amount. (5) Oath of the chief petitioners to pay any costs in excess of total deposit. (6) Chief petitioners’ names, addresses, and phone numbers. (7) Names and addresses of any persons or organizations providing any part of cash, bond or other security deposit and the amount of contribution or value of secured deposit. (8) Attachment of description of secured deposit(s). (9) Attachment of additional contributors. (10) Date of chief petitioner’s signature. [ED. NOTE: Forms referenced are available from the agency.] Statutory/Other Authority: ORS 198.775 & 246.150 Statutes/Other Implemented: ORS 198.775 History: ELECT 24-1993, f. & cert. ef. 6-21-93 SD 6-1984, f. & ef. 3-19-84 SD 4-1984(Temp), f. & ef. 2-9-84
165-020-0020 Notice of Election of Board Members for Special Districts (1) The Secretary of State hereby adopts by reference and designates SEL 815, Notice of Election of Board Members for Special Districts to comply with ORS 255.069. (2) The elections officer shall deliver the SEL 815, or similar form that contains at a minimum the information set forth in subsection (3) of this rule, to each district elections authority, no later than the dates prescribed in ORS 255.069(1). The elections officer shall instruct the district elections authority to review the information on the form and make additions and corrections as necessary. If the information supplied by the elections officer to the district elections authority is correct, the district elections authority shall so indicate. (3) The SEL 815 shall contain: (a) Name of district; (b) Date of election; (c) Open board positions; (d) Title of office; (e) Term of each office; (f) Name of county in which declaration of candidacy or petition of nomination is to be filed; (g) Deadline for candidate filings; (h) Designation of newspaper in which legal notice is to be published; and (i) Signature of authorized district election authority, title and date signed. (4) The elections officer shall prepare the notice required by ORS 255.075 using the updated information submitted by the district elections authority under subsection (2) of this rule. (5) In making the designation of a newspaper of general circulation in the district for publication of the district's notices the elections officer shall consider the criteria set forth in ORS 193.020. (6) In addition to the information required in a publication made pursuant to ORS 255.075, the elections officer shall also include a statement as to where declarations of candidacy and petitions for nomination may be filed. [ED. NOTE: Forms referenced are available from the agency.] Statutory/Other Authority: ORS 246.120 & 246.150 Statutes/Other Implemented: ORS 255.075 History: ELECT 36-2009, f. & cert. ef. 12-31-09 ELECT 26-2007, f. & cert. ef. 12-31-07 ELECT 10-2003, f. & cert. ef. 9-3-03 ELECT 29-1993, f. & cert. ef. 7-23-93 SD 13-1980, f. & ef. 2-1-80
165-020-0021 Record Retention for Preparation of Notice of Election of Board Members for Special Districts (1) In accordance with ORS 255.069(4) the election officer shall retain completed SEL 815, Notice of Election of Board Members for Special Districts, filed by the district elections authority in a file maintained for that purpose. All forms shall be kept for a period of at least 4 years after the district election for which the form was completed. (2) To maintain adequate records for preparation of the SEL 815 by the elections officer, the district elections authority must notify the elections officer of any vacancy as soon as practicable. If the vacancy occurs after the 101st day before the regular district election and on or before the 62nd day before the regular district election, the district elections authority must immediately notify the elections officer, but not later than the next business day. (3) When a person is appointed to fill a vacancy in a district office, the district elections authority must give written notice to the elections officer within two business days after such appointment is made. [ED. NOTE: Forms referenced are available from the agency.] Statutory/Other Authority: ORS 246.150 Statutes/Other Implemented: ORS 255.069 History: ELECT 26-2007, f. & cert. ef. 12-31-07
165-020-0030 Designation of Identification Numbers for Measures of Special Districts Located in More Than One County (1) ORS 246.150 requires the Secretary of State to adopt rules to facilitate correctness, impartiality and efficiency in administering elections laws. ORS 254.108 directs the Secretary of State to provide a means of numbering a measure of a special district located in more than one county. (2) Measures of special districts located in more than one county shall be numbered consecutively in the order in which the measures are filed with the district's election officer. These measures shall be identified by a unique prefix number. This prefix number shall be assigned by the special district's election officer. For the purpose of this rule, and as provided by ORS 255.005(5)(b), the election officer shall be the county clerk of the county in which the administrative office of the district is located. (3) The following are the unique prefix numbers which shall be assigned by the special district election officer: (a) Baker — 1; (b) Benton — 2; (c) Clackamas — 3; (d) Clatsop — 4; (e) Columbia — 5; (f) Coos — 6; (g) Crook — 7; (h) Curry — 8; (i) Deschutes — 9; (j) Douglas — 10; (k) Gilliam — 11; (l) Grant — 12; (m) Harney — 13; (n) Hood River — 14; (o) Jackson — 15; (p) Jefferson — 16; (q) Josephine — 17; (r) Klamath — 18; (s) Lake — 19; (t) Lane — 20; (u) Lincoln — 21; (v) Linn — 22; (w) Malheur — 23; (x) Marion — 24; (y) Morrow — 25; (z) Multnomah — 26; (aa) Polk — 27; (bb) Sherman — 28; (cc) Tillamook — 29; (dd) Umatilla — 30; (ee) Union — 31; (ff) Wallowa — 32; (gg) Wasco — 33; (hh) Washington — 34; (ii) Wheeler — 35; (jj) Yamhill — 36. (4) The election officer for a special district located in more than one county shall immediately certify a measure to the appropriate county clerk(s). Statutory/Other Authority: ORS 246.150 Statutes/Other Implemented: ORS 254.108 & 255.005 History: ELECT 10-2003, f. & cert. ef. 9-3-03 SD 1-1981, f. & ef. 7-21-81 SD 38-1980(Temp), f. & ef. 3-17-80
165-020-0035 Nominating Schedule for Filling Vacancy in Office of Board Member of District (1) The purpose of this rule is to provide a nominating schedule for candidates' names to be printed on the official district election ballot to fill the remainder of an unexpired term resulting from a vacancy in the office of an elected board member. (2) This rule shall apply only when a vacancy in the office of an elected board member occurs after the 101st day before the regular district election and on or before the 62nd day before the regular district election. (3) As soon as practicable after a vacancy in the office of district board member occurs the district elections authority shall deliver written confirmation of the vacancy to the elections officer. The written confirmation shall include the office information, position or zone number and the expiration date of the term. (4) Upon receipt of the written confirmation of the vacancy the elections officer shall publish in the next available edition of a newspaper of general circulation or mail to each elector of the district an amended notice of district board election. The amended notice shall contain: (a) All the information contained in the original published notice, including the same filing date and time, for the office(s) originally scheduled for election; (b) The new office information for the office in which the vacancy exists; and (c) The filing deadline date and time, as determined by the elections officer, for the office in which the vacancy exists. (5) Candidates shall file for election in accordance with ORS 255.235(1)(a) and (b). (6) The elections officer shall accept candidate filings for not fewer than seven calendar days after receipt of written confirmation of vacancy. (7) The office title only shall be printed on the ballot in those cases when no nominations are received by the election officer. Statutory/Other Authority: ORS 246.150 & ORS 255.245 Statutes/Other Implemented: ORS 255.245 History: ELECT 26-2007, f. & cert. ef. 12-31-07 SD 2-1984, f. & ef. 1-19-84 SD 1-1979, f. & ef. 1-18-79 SD 2-1978(Temp), f. & ef. 2-28-78
165-020-0125 Adjusting Terms of Special District Board Members; Rajneeshpuram Rural Fire Protection Dist., Wasco Co. Text in ORMS History: Reverted to SD 11-1983, f. & ef. 3-31-83 Sunset on 09-28-2017 SD 11-1983, f. & ef. 3-31-83 SD 5-1983(Temp), f. & ef. 3-31-83
165-020-0445 Adjusting the Terms of Office for Douglas County Transportation District Directors (1) This rule adjusts the terms of office of the district directors for the Douglas County Transportation District, a special district formed in Douglas County, and with governing directors elected at the November 6, 2018 general election. The terms must be adjusted to expire in odd-numbered years to conform to the regular district election schedule in ORS 255.335. (2) The position numbers are assigned the following length of terms: (a) Position 1, term to expire June 30, 2019; (b) Position 2, term to expire June 30, 2019; (c) Position 3, term to expire June 30, 2019; (d) Position 4, term to expire June 30, 2021; (e) Position 5, term to expire June 30, 2021; (f) Position 6, term to expire June 30, 2021; and (g) Position 7, term to expire June 30, 2021. (3) Following the expiration of these adjusted terms, each position will be filled by election at the regular district election for a four year term. Statutory/Other Authority: ORS 246.150 & 255.325 Statutes/Other Implemented: ORS 255.335 History: ELECT 2-2019, adopt filed 02/11/2019, effective 02/11/2019
165-022-0000 Definitions (1) The terms used in this chapter have the same definitions as identified in ORS 251.005(1), (3), (4), (5). For this chapter, the terms: (a) "Statements" refers to the county voters' pamphlet filings made by candidates; (b) "Arguments" refers to the filings of measure arguments for inclusion in the county voters' pamphlet; (c) "Words" refers to both words and numbers; (d) "Filing forms" for candidate statements, explanatory statements and measure arguments refers to the forms required and provided by the county clerk; (e) "City office" means any elected position of a city as specified by state law or city charter. (f) "Local government" means the county or a city, or district as defined in ORS 255.012 located within the county. (2) For elected public offices, the terms: (a) "Paid office" means any elected public office for which the person elected will receive a fixed salary. For purposes of this rule, per diem and reimbursement for expenses do not constitute a fixed salary; (b) "Unpaid office" means any elected public office which is not a paid office. (3) Recall measures may be excluded from the county voters' pamphlet. Statutory/Other Authority: ORS 246.150, 251.305 & 251.325 Statutes/Other Implemented: ORS 251.305 History: ELECT 7-2006, f. & cert. ef. 4-18-06 ELECT 6-1994, f. & cert. ef. 3-31-94 ELECT 16-1993, f. & cert. ef. 4-29-93, Renumbered from 165-060-3000 ELECT 8-1991, f. 8-16-91, cert. ef. 9-1-91 ELECT 6-1991(Temp), f. & cert. ef. 7-2-91 ELECT 19-1989, f. & cert. ef. 10-16-89
165-022-0030 Filing Candidate Statement and Portrait (1) Any candidate for local office may file a candidate statement and portrait with the county clerk of each county in which the local government is located. (2) The county clerk may require that the candidate statement be typewritten and submitted on a form approved by the county clerk. (3) The content of statements shall conform to ORS 251.395: (a) The names of persons or organizations to be excluded from statements shall conform to ORS 251.405; (b) Candidate portrait requirements shall conform to ORS 251.075; (c) The format of the candidate's statement shall conform to ORS 251.425; (d) The identification of the candidate's portrait or statement shall conform to ORS 251.125; (4) Candidate statements shall be limited to 325 words. (5) All materials submitted by a candidate for inclusion in a county voters' pamphlet shall fit within 30 square inches of space. Statutory/Other Authority: ORS 246.150 & 251.325 Statutes/Other Implemented: ORS 251.325 History: ELECT 7-2006, f. & cert. ef. 4-18-06 ELECT 6-2000, f. & cert. ef. 3-20-00 ELECT 6-1994, f. & cert. ef. 3-31-94 ELECT 16-1993, f. & cert. ef. 4-29-93, Renumbered from 165-060-3030 ELECT 8-1991, f. 8-16-91, cert. ef. 9-1-91 ELECT 6-1991(Temp), f. & cert. ef. 7-2-91 ELECT 19-1989, f. & cert. ef. 10-16-89
165-022-0040 Filing Explanatory Statements (1) The governing body for any local government which has referred a measure to the voters, shall submit an impartial, simple and understandable statement explaining the measure and its effect. (2) For any initiative or referendum by petition, an impartial, simple and understandable statement explaining the measure and its effect shall be submitted by the governing body of the local government only if the local government has an ordinance requiring the submission of such a statement. (3) Explanatory statements shall be limited to 500 words. (4) The county clerk shall reject any referred measure submitted without an explanatory statement. Statutory/Other Authority: ORS 246.150, 251.305 & 251.325 Statutes/Other Implemented: ORS 251.345 History: ELECT 7-2006, f. & cert. ef. 4-18-06 ELECT 6-1994, f. & cert. ef. 3-31-94 ELECT 16-1993, f. & cert. ef. 4-29-93, Renumbered from 165-060-3040 ELECT 8-1991, f. 8-16-91, cert. ef. 9-1-91 ELECT 6-1991(Temp), f. & cert. ef. 7-2-91 ELECT 19-1989, f. & cert. ef. 10-16-89