State of Oregon: SWCDs

Alert

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 5, 2024.

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.

Formularios electorales en español (Election forms available in Spanish)

El Paquete Para Candidatos para las Elecciones de Director de Distrito de Conservación de Suelos y Aguas de 2022, así como los formularios para candidatos, están disponibles en español. Los formularios están disponibles como documentos separados en la sección "Información y formularios de presentación para candidatos" de esta página web.

SWCD director election write-in process

Information about how write-in ballots for directors are counted can be found in a fact sheet about the process.

Requirements for eligibility

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. Along with residing within the district's boundary and being a registered voter in that SWCD, eligibility also includes:

Actively managing 10 or more acres in the zone that is being represented and residing within the boundaries of the district, or
Residing within the zone that is being represented and actively managing 10 or more acres within the boundaries of the district, or
Residing within the zone, serving at least one year in a SWCD At Large position or in a SWCD associate director position, and having a conservation plan that is approved by the district. This eligibility option does not include a requirement of active management of 10 acres or more.

Note to candidates: Submitting election materials in person requires an appointment

In accordance with Executive Order No. 20-12, and in an effort to protect employees and the public, ODA has changed the way it provides services at our offices.

Offices will remain open, but locked, and in-person interactions between staff and the public will be by appointment only. To drop off SWCD director election materials, schedule an appointment with Sandi Hiatt, SWCD Grants Administrator, at (503) 986-4704 or by email. Please note, 72 hours notice will be needed to accommodate the request.

Find your SWCD and zone

Put your address in the search bar of the SWCD interactive map page to find your SWCD and zone within your district.

2022 SWCD District Important Dates for Elections

Date	Description of Event	Reference
8:00 a.m. July 21, 2022	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 Candidate “Quick Guide” on Campaign Finance Reporting in Oregon
5:00 p.m. August 30, 2022	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 31, 2022	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
5:00 p.m. October 25, 2022	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 8, 2022	Election Day	ORS 254.056
January 1, 2023	First day newly elected directors may take the Oath of Office after receiving election certificates.	Oregon Constitution Article XV, Section 3 ORS 254.568