ATTENTION PACIFIC GREEN PARTY CANDIDATES!
We are looking for potential candidates to run in elections! Nominating Conventions are held in June of presidential election years; nomination for local offices vary depending on the deadlines.
Important election dates can be found in the Secretary of State current elections page along with basic information on running for office
- Important Dates for Special District Candidates
- Tue. Jan 31, 2023 - Deadline for special districts to return board updates
- Sat. Feb. 4, 2023 - First date to file as a candidate for May Special District Election
- Thur. March 16, 2023 - Candidate filing deadline
- Mon. March 20, 2023 - Voters' pamphlet deadline for candidates
Please go to the top page (Campaigns) for resources to run for office
Running for office is one of the best ways to engage the public, challenging the status quo by speaking about what matters to the 99%. Winning an election not only means to get elected - but MOST IMPORTANTLY it means to SHIFT THE DISCOURSE.
One of the principal purposes of the PGP is to run candidates for office at all levels of government and to help get them elected. In doing so, we further the cause of our many allies and coalition friends - because we are also in the trenches with them and understand their struggles.
So, if you’re considering running, we welcome and applaud you. What follows is intended to help you along the way.
You can make a big difference as a Green in elected office! Here's a list of seats to consider:
- school board
- conservation district
- port
- public college or university board
- public transportation district
- city or county council
- mayor
- Oregon House or Senate
- Oregon Federal Congressional districts
- Oregon Federal Senate seats
- state offices, including Governor, Treasurer, Secretary of State, Attorney General, etc.
Every election there are often local seats which are uncontested. Getting your name on the ballot in these cases means you will likely win that election. The first step to engaging the Pacific Green Party in supporting your run for office is to let us know more about you and your plans. You can do this by filling out our Statement of Candidacy form and email [email protected] to make sure we receive your application.. Also highly recommended is the video course "How To Run For Office" produced by nationbuilder, our web service provider.
If you intend to run for state or local office you should visit Run For Public Office on the Oregon Secretary of State website. This site will link you to the various forms you will need to submit to the state to comply with Oregon Election Law. These documents are free and available from the State Elections Division of the Secretary of State’s office, at (503) 986-1518 or 1-866-ORE VOTE.
We can help you with paperwork, treasury, volunteers, voter lists, and free assistance consulting on how to navigate your way through the process. These resources are available to Green candidates one they have officially filed for office.
Everybody should run for office at least once. Consider it your duty. If you've never run for office before and don't like the limelight of a higher office, consider joining a neighborhood association (see here for a list of some in Oregon). You might find it's fun to be contributing to your community through civic engagement, even if it involves just your local neighbors. Think globally, act locally!
Those running for a Federal office should visit the Federal Elections Commission for information on filing and reporting requirements.
How to find offices in your area
If you intend to run for a local office (city council or county commissioner, for example), you can check with your county clerk for the relevant documents and instructions.
How to seek the nomination of the PGP
Please supply the information described in the Statement of Candidacy. Please note that the signatures of a minimum of five Supporting Members are needed on this statement. The information you supply here will be distributed as far as possible to our membership via our website and social media, reviewed by the PGP Elections Committee, and their recommendation will be made to the full PGP statewide nominating convention. Note that if office resides within a county then you should seek the nomination and endorsement of your local county chapter (you will need to form a county chapter first if none is currently active).
How to get the endorsement of the PGP
For a non-partisan race, please note that in your Statement of Candidacy.
Please note that there are printed materials that you may find useful in your campaign:
- Previous Oregon Voters’ Guides: Click here to arrive at the Secretary of State's Election History page. Click on any historical election listed, then click the Voters' Guide link to be taken to the Voter Guide for that election.
- PGP Platform, Constitution, and Bylaws
- The Campaign Manager: Running and Winning Local Elections by former Ashland mayor Cathy Shaw.