Chapter VII
ELECTIONS

Section 25 Councilors.

The term of a councilor in office when this charter is adopted is the term for which the councilor was elected. At each general election after the adoption, three councilors will be elected for four-year terms.

Section 26 Mayor.

The term of the mayor in office when this charter is adopted continues to the beginning of the first odd numbered year after adoption. At every other general election after the adoption, a mayor shall be elected for a four-year term.

Section 27 State Law.

City elections must conform to state law except as this charter or ordinances provide otherwise. All elections for city offices must be nonpartisan.

Section 28 Qualifications.

(a) The mayor and each city councilor must be a qualified elector under state law, and reside within the city for at least one year immediately before election or appointment to office. For the purpose of this section, city shall mean any area included in the corporate limits as of the date of the election.

(b) The city shall be divided into six geographical areas representing as near as practical, the same number of electors. When this charter section is adopted, the current six city district boundaries shall be the six district boundaries. The districts shall be reapportioned thereafter whenever the United States Census is taken and within a reasonable time after the data is available, or when the city so orders. Whenever the districts are reapportioned, the councilor in office shall not lose their qualification for office by reason of the boundary change for the remainder of their term, unless otherwise disqualified. In addition to the other qualifications, the councilor must have and maintain their residence in the district from which they were nominated during the term of their office, except as provided for in reapportionment.

(c) Neither the mayor nor a councilor may be employed by the city, unless the employment is substantially volunteer in nature. The municipal judge shall make the determination of whether employment is substantially volunteer.

(d) No person may be a candidate at a single election for more than one city office.

(e) Except as provided in subsection (c) of this section, the council is the final judge of the election and qualifications of its members.

Section 29 Nominations.

The council must adopt an ordinance prescribing the manner for a person to be nominated to run for mayor or a city councilor position.

Section 30 Terms.

The term of an officer elected at a general election begins at the first council meeting of the year immediately after the election, and continues until the successor qualifies and assumes the office.

Section 31 Oath.

The mayor and each councilor must swear or affirm to faithfully perform the duties of the office, support the constitutions and laws of the United States and Oregon, and the ordinances and charter of the city.

Section 32 Vacancies.

The mayor or other council office becomes vacant:

(a) Upon the incumbent’s:

(1) Death,

(2) Adjudicated incompetence, or

(3) Recall from the office.

(b) Upon declaration by the council after the incumbent’s:

(1) Failure to qualify for the office within 10 days of the time the term of office is to begin,

(2) Absence from the city for 30 days or from all council meetings within a 60-day period, without council consent,

(3) Ceasing to reside in the city,

(4) Ceasing to reside within the district from which the councilor was nominated, except as provided for in reapportionment; however, the councilor shall remain in office until such time as the vacancy is filled, but in no event shall the time exceed 120 days,

(5) Ceasing to be a qualified elector under state law,

(6) Conviction, while in office, of a public offense punishable by loss of liberty,

(7) Resignation from the office, or

(8) Removal under Section 34(i).

Section 33 Filling Vacancies.

A mayor or councilor vacancy will be filled by appointment by a majority of the remaining council members. The appointee’s term of office runs from appointment until expiration of the term of office of the last person elected to that office.