Chapter 2.20
ELECTIONS, WARDS1
Sections:
2.20.020 Councilmembers--Biennial election.
2.20.040 Councilmembers--Ward representation; vacancies in office.
2.20.060 Nomination by petition.
2.20.080 Candidate filing forms.
2.20.090 Withdrawal of candidacy.
2.20.100 Certification of candidates.
2.20.110 Election notice and results.
2.20.005 State law applies.
As provided by Chapter VII of the 2010 City Charter, city elections must conform to state law except as specified by charter or ordinances of the city of Central Point. All elections for city offices must be nonpartisan. (Ord. 1951 §2, 2011).
2.20.010 Wards--Boundaries.
The city is divided into four wards for election purposes, the boundaries of which shall be as follows:
A. Ward 1. Ward 1 shall consist of all of the territory within the city or annexed into the city which is contained within Jackson County Precinct No. 92.
B. Ward 2. Ward 2 shall consist of all of the territory within the city or annexed into the city which is contained within Jackson County Precinct No. 90.
C. Ward 3. Ward 3 shall consist of all of the territory within the city or annexed into the city which is contained within Jackson County Precinct No. 96.
D. Ward 4. Ward 4 shall consist of all of the territory within the city or annexed into the city which is contained within Jackson County Precinct No. 94. (Ord. 1827 §1(part), 2002; Ord. 1734 §1, 1996; Ord. 1669, 1992; Ord. 1287, 1977; Ord. 556 §1, 1960).
2.20.020 Councilmembers--Biennial election.
At the biennial election held in November, 2004, and at each second biennial election thereafter, one councilmember shall be elected to represent Ward 4 and two councilmembers shall be elected to represent the city at large. At the biennial election held in November, 2002, and at each second biennial election thereafter, one councilmember shall be elected to represent Ward 1, one councilmember shall be elected to represent Ward 2 and one councilmember shall be elected from Ward 3. (Ord. 1827 §1(part), 2002; Ord. 556 §2, 1960).
2.20.030 Elective officers.
All elective officers provided for in the charter of the city shall be elected from the city at large. (Ord. 1827 §1(part), 2002; Ord. 556 §3, 1960).
2.20.040 Councilmembers--Ward representation; vacancies in office.
In addition to the other qualifications set forth in the Charter, a councilmember or candidate for councilmember must be a resident of the ward he or she represents or seeks to represent. Any vacancy in the office of a councilmember from a ward shall be filled by the appointment of a duly qualified person who is a resident of the ward in which the vacancy occurred. Any vacancy in the office of a councilmember-at-large may be filled by the appointment of any qualified voter of the city. (Ord. 1827 §1(part), 2002; Ord. 556 §4, 1960).
2.20.050 Eligibility.
A qualified elector as defined in the Oregon Constitution and who has resided in the city limits for the twelve-month period immediately preceding the election or appointment to office may be a candidate for an elective city position. (Ord. 1951 §3, 2011; Ord. 1827 §1(part), 2002; Ord. 1564 §1, 1986; Ord. 556 §5, 1960).
2.20.060 Nomination by petition.
A. Nomination for a city elective position shall be by a petition that specifies the office sought and shall be in a form prescribed by the Secretary of State and the city of Central Point.
B. Electors may sign one petition for each position to be placed on the ballot. The circulator must certify on each signature sheet that the circulator witnessed the signing of the signature sheet by each individual whose signature appears on the signature sheet and attest that each individual is believed to be qualified to sign as provided in ORS 249.061(4). Failure to comply with the legal requirements and guidelines as contained in OAR 165-014-0270 will result in the rejection of those signature sheets.
C. Signature sheets may not be circulated until the city recorder has approved the prospective petition and provided a letter authorizing the gathering of signatures.
1. All petitions for nomination for the office of city councilor from a particular ward shall be signed by not less than twenty electors of the city who reside within that ward.
2. All petitions for nomination for the office of mayor or a city councilor-at-large shall be signed by not less than twenty electors of the city.
D. Candidates must allow sufficient time to have the signatures verified by the Jackson County elections division before the city’s filing deadline. Failure to do so will result in the rejection of those signature sheets.
E. When the city recorder receives notification that a minimum of twenty signatures have been approved by the Jackson County elections division, a letter of completion will be provided to the candidate. (Ord. 1951 §4(part), 2011).
2.20.070 Filing period.
A completed nomination petition for candidacy must be filed with the city recorder no earlier than one hundred twenty days and no later than seventy days before the election. (Ord. 1951 §4(part), 2011).
2.20.080 Candidate filing forms.
The city recorder shall provide the candidate with the applicable filing forms as prescribed by the city and Oregon Secretary of State for an elective city office. If at any time a petition is found to be deficient, the city recorder shall notify the candidate within five business days after filing, certifying in writing the reason(s) the petition is insufficient. The petition may be amended and refiled within the required timeline. (Ord. 1951 §4(part), 2011).
2.20.090 Withdrawal of candidacy.
To withdraw from candidacy or nomination, a candidate must file a withdrawal of candidacy or nomination form with the city recorder no later than sixty-seven days before the election. The candidate must use the proper form provided by the city recorder or Secretary of State, provide the reason for the withdrawal, and attest the information provided is accurate. (Ord. 1951 §4(part), 2011).
2.20.100 Certification of candidates.
The city recorder must file with the Jackson County elections division, in accordance with the time requirements of state law, a statement of the city offices to be filled and the names of the qualified candidates to be printed on the ballots. (Ord. 1951 §4(part), 2011).
2.20.110 Election notice and results.
Notice of elections submitted to city electors on regular or special election dates must be given in accordance with state law. The city recorder must certify the election results to the council at the first council meeting after the results are certified by the Jackson County clerk. (Ord. 1951 §4(part), 2011).
For statutory provisions concerning precincts and polling places, see ORS 246.410, et seq.; for the Charter provisions concerning elections, see City Charter Art. IV and Art. I §2. For provisions concerning initiatives and referenda, see Ch. 1.08 of this code.