Elections

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Candidate's Guide to
Running for Local Office 

From Eligibility to Election Day

Complete Guide for Molalla Residents

Note: This information is an excerpt of the Candidate Information Packet (provided below in Supporting Documents)

City Council Election Information

In order to serve on the Molalla City Council, candidates must meet the following requirements:

Should a candidate meet criteria and have interest in utilizing knowledge and experience to volunteer on the Molalla City Council, the City encourages candidates to read the Guide for Prospective City Elected Officials published by the League of Oregon Cities.

City Council members are required to file a Statement of Economic Interest (SEI) Report annually for the terms in which they serve. This report follows ORS 244.050 with the Oregon Government Ethics Commission (OGEC). For more information about who is required to file an SEI, please visit the OGEC website. 

This brief publication provides valuable insights for individuals interested in serving on City Council. The Candidate Manual(PDF, 1MB)  produced by the Secretary of State is included in the Supporting Documents; this resource can be a helpful guide through the election process.

Election Forms & Resources

All the election forms referenced herein can be found in Supporting Documents and downloaded for convenience. Paper copies are available at Molalla City Hall.
Additionally, candidates are welcomed and encouraged to attend City Council meetings in order to observe and understand how the meetings work, including Council's role and responsibilities.
Visit City Council for more information on the expectations and functions of the City Council. Applicants may find examples of how to complete SEL 102 and SEL 121 forms below.

Council Elections

The next scheduled City Council Election will be held at the November 3, 2026, General Election, and will feature three (3) Council positions. The individuals elected in November 2026 will serve a four-year term beginning January 1, 2027 and ending December 31, 2030. Candidates receiving the highest number of votes on the ballot will fill the positions.

Council seats expiring are:
Leota Childress, Terry Shankle, and RaeLynn Botsford (Councilor K.C. Bisenius was appointed to Botsford's term on September 10, 2025).

November 3, 2026 General Election Calendar for City Candidates

June 3rd
First day to file nomination papers with the City Elections Officer.
Important: Signature sheets must be approved before being circulated.
August 18th
City Hall deadline to submit nomination papers, petitions, and signature sheets to the City Elections Officer. The Elections Officer takes completed signature sheets to the Clackamas County Elections Office for verification. All signatures must be verified by the Clackamas County Elections Office by 05:00PM on this date. Please submit early to allow time for the Elections Officer to transport sheet to the county for processing.
August 25th
Last day for candidates to file voters’ pamphlet statements with the Clackamas County Elections Office.
August 28th
Last day to withdraw candidacy.

Forms & Filing Information

Forms can be downloaded (see Supporting Documents ) or picked up in-person at Molalla City Hall.
Please note: the City of Molalla does not charge a fee for filing candidate application. MMC Chapter 2.02.040 requires 20 valid signatures.
How to File for Candidacy by Petition
Step 1: File Nomination Papers

Nomination papers must be filed with the:

City Elections Officer, Christie Teets, CMC 
Contact: recorder@cityofmolalla.com | (503)759-0285 

Forms SEL101 and SEL121 must be approved in writing by the City Elections Officer before circulating. Failure to obtain approval will result in the rejection of signature sheets. Each candidate must determine in advance which position they plan to run for.

A candidate may submit the SEL101 and SEL121 forms (with only the top portion of SEL121 completed) to the City Elections Officer (beginning June 3rd of an Election Year, when position vacancy is available) in-person at Molalla City Hall.

Example Forms: SEL101(PDF, 2MB) and SEL121(PDF, 610KB)  

Step 2: Get Approval to Collect Signatures

Once the City Elections Officer verifies eligibility, a Letter of Approval will be sent, allowing a candidate to begin collecting signatures.


Do NOT begin collecting signatures until Letter of Approval has been received.

Step 3: Collect Signatures

In reference to Form SEL121(PDF, 662KB), candidates must obtain a minimum of 20 signatures from registered voters who reside within Molalla City limits.

Please note: It is advisable to gather additional signatures in case some signatures are deemed invalid (example of an invalid signature: the signer is not a registered voter or resides outside the City limits).

Signatures are due to the City Elections Officer by end of day August 18, 2026.

Step 4: Submit Signature Pages for Verification

Once a candidate has collected the required signatures, submit those signatures for review, and submit Form SEL338(PDF, 619KB), to the City Elections Officer. The Elections Officer will send forms to the Clackamas County Elections Office for verification.

  • If a candidate does not gather enough valid signatures, candidate may continue collecting additional signatures until the filing deadline.

If the submitted signatures are verified and confirmed as valid, the candidate's name will be submitted to the County Clerk to appear on the ballot. A confirmation notice will then be sent by the City Elections Officer to the candidate.

Signatures are due to the City Elections Officer by end of day on August 18, 2026.

Step 5: Campaign

Once signatures are verified, candidates may begin their campaigns. This includes reaching out to voters, speaking at community groups, and engaging with neighbors. Campaigning does not require significant funding - time, effort, and passion is all a candidate needs to listen to the community. 

ORESTAR/Campaign Finance
Need additional information? Have questions such as:
  • Should a candidate choose to set up a campaign fund?
  • Should a candidate distribute campaign signs?

Be sure to check the guidelines on Political Sign locatations in Candidates Election Packet or visit resources such as:

Candidate Packet Supporting Documents
Resources
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