Lane County Candidates Set for May 19 Primary After Filing Deadline

The March 10 candidate filing deadline has closed, locking in the field for Lane County's May 19 primary and setting up contested races across a wide range of local, county and state offices.

Lane County voters will select county commissioners, sheriff and assessor, choose circuit court judges, and weigh in on whether to create a "watershed bill of rights." In Eugene and Springfield, voters will elect half of each city's council. Eugene residents will also choose half the membership of the city's utility board. Tax levies from local governments across the county round out a ballot that touches nearly every corner of civic life in the region.

The state legislative map adds further competition. Retirements in House Districts 7 and 9 each drew several candidates hoping to claim the open seats. In Districts 8, 10 and 12, sitting members filed for re-election without facing primary challengers from within their own parties; each of those incumbents will face one opponent from the other party in November. The most pointed primary action is in Districts 13 and 14, where incumbent Eugene Democratic Representatives Nancy Nathanson and Julie Fahey both drew primary challenges.

Eugene voters will also consider a measure asking: "Shall voters adopt ordinance imposing on large retailers a licensing requirement and 2% fee to finance a clean energy fund?" The City of Eugene's primary operates as a nonpartisan nominating election, meaning party membership plays no role in voter eligibility. If any candidate clears 50 percent of the May vote, that person goes directly to the November ballot alone. If no one hits the majority threshold, the top two vote-getters advance.

Several key deadlines govern voter participation between now and May 19. Voters not yet registered in Oregon, or those who want to switch party affiliation, have until April 28 to do so. County election offices must mail ballots by May 5, though voters can update their address all the way through election day. Completed ballots are due back by May 19.

Candidate filings are maintained online by the City of Eugene, and copies of filing paperwork are available through the public records request process under SB 580. Questions about city candidate filings can be directed to the City Recorder's Office at 541-682-5882. The primary election in Eugene will be conducted by Lane County Elections in accordance with Oregon Revised Statutes.