Elections

The next scheduled election is Tuesday, November 4, 2025 Special Elections.

REFERRAL NO. 2025-01: MEASURE NO. 36-237:

The City of McMinnville Elections Officer received a ballot title from the City Council via Resolution No. 2025-44 on July 22, 2025, for Referral No. 2025-01. No challenge to the ballot title was filed and Notice of Measure Election has been submitted. The Measure will now appear in the November 4, 2025 Special Elections.

CAPTION: Bonds to build Recreation Center; update parks, senior center, library

QUESTION: Shall McMinnville build an aquatics/recreation center; enhance library, parks, senior center; issue bonds not exceeding $98,500,000; require citizen oversight?

If the bonds are approved, they will be payable from taxes on property or property ownership that are not subject to the limits of sections 11 and 11b, Article XI of the Oregon Constitution.

SUMMARY: McMinnville’s population has more than doubled since the last major renovations to many of the community facilities. City recreation facilities and parks have aging infrastructures and deferred maintenance.

This measure authorizes $98,500,000 principal amount of bonds for capital projects, expected to include:

● Purchasing property and building a combined swim/aquatics and recreation facility.

● Renovating senior center.

● Expanding the children’s area and adding bathrooms at the library.

● Making improvements to some parks.

Since 2019 the City has worked with the community to design the projects, including reducing the price and scope of the projects from earlier proposals. If bonds are approved, the annual tax rate is estimated to increase by $0.95 per $1,000 of assessed value for bond payments. Actual levy rate may differ due to final interest rates, changes in assessed value. Bonds may be issued in multiple series; each maturing within 21 years of issuance.

The City would establish a citizen oversight committee to ensure proceeds are used for purposes indicated.

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2026 City Council Elections

The next scheduled Council election will be held at the November 3, 2026, General Election, and will feature Council positions Councilor Sal Peralta (Ward 1), Councilor Zack Geary (Ward 2), Councilor Jessica Payne (Ward 3). The individuals elected in November 2026 will serve a four-year term beginning January 1, 2027 and ending December 31, 2030. City Council positions are non-paid, voluntary positions.

City Councilors are nominated and elected by the ward in which the candidate resides. Persons interested in running for office must file a petition and collect 50 signatures of qualified, legal voters of the ward in which the candidate is running. Candidates must reside in the ward they are running for office, be registered voters in the state of Oregon, and have lived in the City of McMinnville for 12 months immediately preceding their filing of candidate petition.

NOVEMBER 3, 2026 GENERAL ELECTION CALENDAR FOR CITY CANDIDATES:

Last day to establish residency in city limits.	June TBD
First day to file as candidate.	June TBD
Strongly recommended deadline to submit signature sheets for verification to the city elections officer as sheets need to be verified with the County Clerk’s Office and verification can take up to a few days.	August TBD
Last day for completion of all filing requirements. NOTE: Candidates are strongly recommended to submit signature sheets well in advance of the filing deadline or no later than August TBD, in order to provide sufficient time for signature verification.	August TBD
Last day to withdraw candidacy.	August TBD
Last day to file candidate statement for inclusion in the Yamhill County Voter Pamphlet.	September TBD
Last day to register to vote.	October TBD
Election Day	November 3, 2026
Election results are certified at the City Council Regular Meeting.	December TBD
Oath of Office administered to elected candidates.	January 12, 2027

City elections are governed by the laws and regulations of the City of McMinnville, Yamhill County, and the State of Oregon. See McMinnville's Charter for city-specific rules and see the links below for county and state election resources.

Hard copies of candidate packets are available by scheduled appointments, or when ready to file paperwork/have questions please call or email me to schedule an appointment. Claudia Cisneros at (503) 435-5702 or at claudia.cisneros@mcminnvilleoregon.gov.