BECOMING A DIRECTOR
Do you love your community and want to help keep it healthy and thriving?
Do you have ideas on how public funding could be used to better serve Columbia County residents?
If so, Columbia SWCD’s Board of Directors could be the place for you to share your thoughts and expertise!
The next General Election is scheduled for November 5, 2024.
2024 Candidate Packet for SWCD Director ElectionsPaquete para candidatos para las elecciones de Directores del SWCD 20242024 SWCD Director Elections Instructions and Information
On November 5, 2024, Columbia County will hold a general election that includes Board of Director positions for Columbia Soil and Water Conservation District.
Six director positions will be open for election in November 2024, with terms beginning January 1, 2025:
- Zone 1 (2-year term ending in 2026)
- Zone 2 (4-year term ending in 2028)
- Zone 3 (2-year term ending in 2026)
- Zone 4 (4-year term ending in 2028)
- Zone 5 (4-year term ending in 2028)
- At-Large 1 (4-year term ending in 2028)
District directors are elected on Oregon’s general election ballot and serve terms of four years without pay. Directors are members of business, professional, and agricultural communities who understand the ecological relationships of soil, water, plants, and animals.
Candidates for the position of SWCD director must meet certain eligibility requirements as outlined in Oregon Revised Statutes (ORS) 568.560.
At-Large Directors
Directors must reside within the district boundaries and be registered voters.
Zone directors
Directors have two options for eligibility:
OPTION 1
A zone director:
- Must own or manage 10 or more acres of land in the district.
- Must be involved in the active management of the property.
- Must reside within the boundaries of the district.
- Directors may either reside within the zone that is represented or own or manage ten (10) or more acres within the zone that is represented and must be involved in the active management of the property.
- Must be a registered voter.
OPTION 2
An individual may also serve as a zone director when the individual, in lieu of the other requirements in Option 1:
- Resides within the zone that is represented.
- Has served at least one year as a director or associate director of a district.
- Has a conservation plan that is approved by the district.
- Is a registered voter.
You can find more information on the Oregon Department of Agriculture's website here.
2024 important dates for elections
Please visit the ODA's website for appropriate links and forms, or email us for assistance.
| Date | Description of Event | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 8:00 a.m. July 18, 2024 | First day for district candidate to file Declaration of Candidacy and Petition for Nomination Signature Sheet with ODA. Forms received before this date will be returned to the candidate | ORS 255.235 (40 days before final filing date) |
| Within 3 days of spending or receiving money, but no later than when completed petition is filed. | Candidates expecting to receive or expend more than $750, but less than $3,500, must file the required forms with the Oregon Secretary of State’s office within three business days of receiving or spending money, but no later than when the completed petition is filed. | ORS 260.035 |
| 5:00 p.m. August 27, 2024 | Last day for district candidate to file the Declaration of Candidacy and Petition for Nomination Signature Sheet forms with ODA no later than 5:00 p.m. Last day for district candidate to file the Withdrawal of Candidacy for for general election with ODA no later than 5:00 p.m. | ORS 568.520 ORS 255.235 ORS 603-071-0030 (70 days before election) |
| August 28, 2024 | First day for district candidate to file the Declaration of Intent and Request for Write-In Votes to be Tallied form with ODA. | ORS 568.530 |
| October 22, 2024 | Last day for district candidate to file Declaration of Intent and Request For Write-In Votes to be Tallied form with ODA no later than 5:00 p.m. | ORS 568.530 (14 days before election) |
| November 5, 2024 | Election Day | ORS 254.056 |
| January 1, 2025 | First day newly elected directors may take the Oath of Office after receiving election certificates. | Oregon Constitution Article XV, Section 3 ORS 254.568 |