Oregon Statutes 246.200 – County clerk to conduct elections; exceptions
(1) Except as otherwise provided by law, the county clerk is the only elections officer who may conduct an election in this state. For purposes of this section, the conduct of an election includes, but is not limited to, establishing precincts, preparing ballots and sample ballots, and receiving and processing votes.
Terms Used In Oregon Statutes 246.200
- Ballot: means any material on which votes may be cast for candidates or measures. See Oregon Statutes 246.012
- County clerk: means the county clerk or the county official in charge of elections. See Oregon Statutes 246.012
- Election: means any election held within this state. See Oregon Statutes 246.012
(2) Notwithstanding subsection (1) of this section:
(a) The county clerk is not the only elections officer who may accept and verify a filing for nomination or filing of a petition, prepare a voters’ pamphlet or ballot title, or prepare or publish an election notice; and
(b) The Secretary of State may receive ballots as provided in ORS § 253.585. [1979 c.317 § 1; 1983 c.350 § 63a; 1987 c.535 § 1; 2003 c.64 § 3; 2007 c.154 § 4]
The amendments to 246.200 by section 8, chapter 220, Oregon Laws 2023, were referred to the people for their approval or rejection at the regular general election to be held throughout this state on November 5, 2024. If chapter 220, Oregon Laws 2023, is approved by the people, the amendments become operative January 1, 2028, and apply to elections and nominations occurring on or after January 1, 2028. See sections 18, 19 and 20, chapter 220, Oregon Laws 2023. 246.200, as amended by section 8, chapter 220, Oregon Laws 2023, is set forth for the user’s convenience.
(1)(a) Except as otherwise provided by law, the county clerk is the only elections officer who may conduct an election in this state.
(b) For purposes of this section, the conduct of an election includes, but is not limited to, establishing precincts, preparing ballots and sample ballots, and receiving and processing votes.
(2) Notwithstanding subsection (1) of this section:
(a) The county clerk is not the only elections officer who may accept and verify a filing for nomination or filing of a petition, prepare a voters’ pamphlet or ballot title, or prepare or publish an election notice;
(b) The Secretary of State may receive ballots as provided in ORS § 253.585; and
(c) The Secretary of State, in a manner determined by the secretary by rule, may tally ballots cast for the nomination for or election to an office that is determined by ranked choice voting as provided in section 4, chapter 220, Oregon Laws 2023.