On January 6, 2009, Auditor Gary Blackmer submitted a letter of resignation. On Wednesday, January 14, 2009, the City Council adopted Resolution 36668 to set special election dates for filling the vacancy in the office of City Auditor. 

A Special Nominating Election will be held on May 19, 2009. Any candidate for City Auditor who receives a majority of the votes cast at the May 19 election will be elected.  If no candidate receives a majority, the top two candidates will run off in a Special Runoff Election on July 14, 2009. 

Time Schedule for May 19, 2009 Special Nominating Election

Filing Period

Qualified candidates can file for office starting Thursday, January 15, 2009.  The last day to file for office is Tuesday, March 10, 2009.

Candidate Filing Information Packet – Office of City Auditor (PDF, 479 kb)

Public Campaign Financing (Campaign Finance Fund)

Public campaign financing will be available for these special elections.  The Council will consider an ordinance to set the amount of public funding available to certified candidates at the January 22, 2009 Council meeting. To be certified for public financing, candidates must collect 1,000 verified $5.00 qualifying contributions from Portland registered voters during the qualifying period.  The qualifying period for the May 19 Special Nominating Election will begin on January 15, 2009 and will end on March 10.

Potential candidates considering public financing should contact the City Elections Officer for more information before taking any steps towards candidacy, including making any expenditures or receiving any contributions – there are important additional requirements for candidates seeking certification.  More information on public financing will be available on the City Elections site on Friday, January 16, 2009.