Board Eligibility and Elections

SWCD director elections occur every two years during the General Election. 

Any registered voter living in a conservation district with at least 250,000 people can now run for all board positions. The next General Election is scheduled to take place on November 2024. This year, EMSWCD has three Director positions open for election: Zones 1, 2 and At Large 1.

Important Dates 2024

  • Watch the recording from our online information session
  • July 18th – First day to file Declaration of Candidacy & Petition for Nomination (signatures must be verified – details below)
  • August 27th – Last day to file Declaration of Candidacy & Petition for Nomination (5 PM)
  • September 9th – Last day to file a statement for inclusion in county voters’ pamphlet
  • November 5th – Election Day
  • January 1st, 2025 – First day of Director term

Visit our Board Zones page to learn about the three zones in our District service area.

Election forms, instructions and candidate packets may be found at the Oregon Department of Agriculture SWCD Elections page.

How to file as a candidate

  1. Candidates must submit their Petition for Nomination Signature Sheet to the local county elections official for signature verification. You will need 10 confirmed valid signatures.
  2. Candidates must retrieve their certified Petition for Nomination Signature Sheet from the county elections official and submit it, plus the Declaration of Candidacy form, to ODA by August 27, 2024, at 5 p.m. The County Clerk does NOT submit your petition to ODA for you.

More information about running for a seat on a special district in Multnomah County.

Find out more about EMSWCD Board operations here.

Read the Board Policy Handbook here.

Board Director Eligibility Requirements

At-Large Directors

  • At-Large directors must reside within the EMSWCD boundary.
  • Be a registered voter in that District.

Zone Directors

  • Reside within the boundaries of the district and within the zone that is represented.
  • Be a registered voter.

Associate Directors

Appointed by the Board, Associate directors serve as non-voting members of the board. They must reside within the district and be registered voters. Currently, EMSWCD has no Associate Directors.