Chapter 6: Elections
Section 25. General Elections. A general municipal election shall be held biennially in the City of Corvallis at the same time that the general biennial election for State and county officers is held in the State of Oregon, and at each general election the successors shall be elected for all elective offices whose terms of office expire prior to the next biennial election.
[As amended by general election November 7, 2006 (section renumbered).]
Section 26. Applicability of State Laws. Except as the same may be inconsistent with the provisions of this Charter, all the laws of this State regulating and governing elections and proceedings and matters incidental or relating thereto or connected therewith shall apply to and govern elections under this Charter.
[As amended by special election held May 19, 1981; and general election November 7, 2006 (section renumbered).]
Section 27. Qualifications of Electors. No person shall vote at any City election unless the person is a qualified elector of the State of Oregon and a resident of the City.
[As amended by special election November 2, 2021; special election May 19, 1981; and general election November 7, 2006 (section renumbered).]
Section 28. Special Elections. The Council shall have the power to call special elections. A special election shall be called by ordinance setting forth the purpose for which such special election shall be called and the proposition(s) to be voted on the day on which such election shall be held.
[As amended by special election held May 19, 1981; and general election November 7, 2006 (section renumbered).]
Section 29. Nominations. Effective January 1, 1955, all elective officers of the City of Corvallis shall be elected on a nonpartisan ballot. The Council shall provide by ordinance the mode of nominating elective officers by petition, which shall be the sole and exclusive method of nominating such elective officers.
[As amended by special election held May 21, 1954; and special election held May 19, 1981; and general election November 7, 2006 (section renumbered).]
Section 30. Notice of Elections. The City Recorder shall give notice of all general or special elections by publication thereof in the City official newspaper once a week for two successive and consecutive weeks, within 30 days next preceding such election. Such notice shall state the officers to be elected, and/or measures to be voted upon as herein provided and, in case of a special election, the place designated for holding such election and the time thereof. Any error not affecting the substantial rights of voters shall not invalidate any election.
[As amended by special election held May 19, 1981; and general election November 7, 2006 (section renumbered).]
Section 31. Canvass of Election Results. To canvass the results, the City Recorder shall call to the Recorder’s assistance two qualified electors of the City, not of the same political party, and they three shall then canvass the returns of the election. A written statement of the canvass shall be made and signed by the canvassers, or a majority of them, and filed with the City Recorder. Such writing must contain a statement of the whole number of the votes cast at such election and the number given for any person for any office and the name of the persons elected and to what office and also the number of votes for or against any measure submitted to the people.
[As amended by special election November 2, 2021; special election May 19, 1981; and general election November 7, 2006 (section renumbered).]
Section 32. Initiative and Referendum. Initiative petitions shall be signed by a number of legal voters equal to 15 percent of the votes cast for Mayor at the last preceding municipal election. Referendum petitions shall be signed by a number of legal voters equal to 10 percent of the votes cast for Mayor at the last regular preceding municipal election.
[Added by special election held May 19, 1981; and general election November 7, 2006 (section renumbered).]
