As the 2020 election season approaches, many people are wondering about the rules and regulations for political candidates in Washington County, Oregon. One common question that arises is whether or not these candidates are required to live within the county they are running for office in.
The Short Answer
The short answer is yes, political candidates in Washington County, Oregon must live within the county they are running for office in. This requirement is outlined in the Oregon Constitution and is enforced by the Oregon Secretary of State's Office.The Oregon Constitution
The Oregon Constitution states that "No person shall be eligible to the office of Governor, Secretary of State, State Treasurer, Attorney General or Superintendent of Public Instruction unless the person is an elector of this state." This means that in order to hold one of these offices, a person must be a registered voter in the state of Oregon. Additionally, the constitution also states that "No person shall be a Representative or Senator who at the time of election is not a qualified elector of the district from which the person is chosen." This means that in order to serve as a Representative or Senator, a person must be a registered voter in the district they are representing.The Role of the Oregon Secretary of State's Office
The Oregon Secretary of State's Office is responsible for enforcing these requirements and ensuring that all political candidates meet them. They do this by verifying the residency and voter registration status of each candidate before they can appear on the ballot. In order to be considered a resident of Washington County, a candidate must have lived within its boundaries for at least one year prior to the election.They must also be a registered voter in the county.
Exceptions to the Rule
While the general rule is that political candidates must live within the county they are running for office in, there are a few exceptions to this rule. These exceptions are outlined in Oregon Revised Statutes 249.013 and 249.014. The first exception is for candidates running for the office of Governor, Secretary of State, State Treasurer, Attorney General, or Superintendent of Public Instruction. These candidates are not required to live within the county they are running for office in, but they must be registered voters in the state of Oregon. The second exception is for candidates running for the office of Representative or Senator. These candidates are not required to live within the district they are representing, but they must be registered voters in that district.Why This Requirement Exists
The requirement for political candidates to live within the county they are running for office in serves several purposes.First and foremost, it ensures that the candidate is familiar with the needs and concerns of the community they are seeking to represent. It also helps to prevent outsiders from coming in and trying to influence local politics. Additionally, this requirement helps to ensure that candidates have a vested interest in the community they are seeking to serve. By living within the county, they are more likely to have a personal connection and investment in its success.
Consequences for Not Meeting This Requirement
If a political candidate is found to not meet the residency requirement, they may be disqualified from appearing on the ballot. This can have serious consequences for their campaign and their chances of winning the election. In some cases, a candidate may try to argue that they meet the residency requirement even if they do not physically live within the county.This can be a tricky situation and may require legal intervention to determine the candidate's eligibility.
