Bend City Council candidate filing period opens, with new option of filing fee
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Four Bend City Council positions will be on the Nov. 3 election ballot. The filing period for those interested in getting on the ballot is now open through August 25, officials said Monday.
Due to COVID-19, for this fall's election, prospective City Council candidates can choose to pay a $25 fee, instead of collecting signatures to get on the ballot.
Typically, candidates are only eligible for the ballot by filing a nominating petition containing at least 150 signatures of electors of the city of Bend.
The council recently approved temporarily allowing eligible electors to be nominated for the election by filing a declaration of candidacy and paying a $25 filing fee to allow candidates the option to avoid the in-person signature-gathering requirement, to support social distancing practices that help reduce the risk of transmission of COVID-19.
Candidates will still have the option of filing by nomination petition.
Individuals elected this November will begin serving in January 2021. Council members are elected to four-year terms.
The City Council is comprised of six council members and an elected mayor.
More information about filing, including requirements to be eligible and expectations of councilors, can be found at:Â https://www.bendoregon.gov/government/departments/city-recorder/elections.
The four positions that expire at the end of December are positions 1 through 4, currently held by Bruce Abernethy, Justin Livingston, Bill Moseley and Chris Piper.
Abernethy has indicated he won't seek re-election, which Livingston and Piper have indicated they will.
