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 Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) Natural Resources Program oversees the conservation district elections process. Elections for SWCD directors occur every two years. The next General Election is scheduled for November 3, 2026.
Candidates and districts must follow specific guidelines to advertise the elections and to have candidates' applications processed and placed on the ballot. ODA notifies the districts and county clerks which positions are to be on the ballot for election, the procedures to follow, and deadlines needing to be met.
Candidates and districts are responsible to submit the appropriate paperwork to the local county clerk and to ODA.
2026 Election Calendar
| Date | Description | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 8:00 a.m. July 16, 2026 | First day for district candidate to file Declaration of Candidacy and Petition for Nomination Signature Sheet forms 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 25, 2026 | 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 Form for general election with ODA no later than 5:00 p.m. | ORS 568.520 ORS 255.235 OAR 603-071-0030 (70 days before election) |
| August 26, 2026 | 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 20, 2026 | 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 3, 2026 | Election Day | ORS 254.056 |
| January 1, 2027 | First day newly elected directors may take the Oath of Office after receiving election certificates. | Oregon Constitution Article XV, Section 3 ORS 254.568 |
Resources:
ORS 255.235
ORS 260.035
ORS 568.520
ORS 255.235
OAR 603-071-0030
ORS 568.530
ORS 568.530
ORS 254.056
Oregon Constitution Article XV, Section 3 ORS 254.568
Election forms
Declaration of Candidacy
Petition for Nomination Signature Sheet
Withdrawal of Candidacy Form
Declaration of Intent and Request for Write-In Votes to be Tallied Form
Election packets
2026 Candidate Packet for SWCD Director Elections
2026 SWCD Director Elections Instructions and Information
Requirements for eligibility
The eligibility requirements for district directors was significantly changed in SB 775, which was passed in 2023. Please note that as of January 1, 2024, all zone directors must reside in the zone in which they represent. For the purposes of director eligibility, residency refers to the place in which the candidate is registered to vote.
Candidates for At Large positions must reside within the boundaries of the SWCD and be a registered voter in that district.
The other positions on the SWCD boards are Zone positions. Zone directors must be a registered voter and reside within the zone they represent. In counties with fewer than 250,000 residents, eligibility requirements also include:
- Own or manage 10 or more acres of land in the zones they represent in the district and be involved in the active management of the land; or
- Indicate an interest in natural resource conservation as demonstrated by serving at least one year as a director or associated director of a district and having a conservation plan that is approved by the district.
Find your SWCD and region
- Put your address in the search bar of the SWCD interactive map page to find your SWCD and region within your district.
- For information about each of Oregon's SWCDs, see the SWCD Directory, updated March 13, 2026.
You can find more information on the Oregon Department of Agriculture's website here.
