Portland has updated Administrative Rule 16.01, increasing the filing fees for City Council, Mayor, and Auditor positions starting with the 2026 elections. The rule also requires fees to rise periodically with inflation, according to the City of Portland.
Candidates with limited financial means can now use a simplified waiver process to bypass these fees. The changes aim to balance accessibility with the growing costs of running for public office, as reported by the City of Portland.
Outdated notations from the 2024 election have been removed to align rules with current standards, and references to an Auditor’s Office records safety exemption have been moved to the City Attorney’s Office, now overseeing this citywide. These updates, along with other details, will be included in candidate training and guides ahead of the 2026 filing period. Despite the recent fee increase, "Candidates will continue to have two alternatives to paying the candidate filing fee: a low-income fee waiver is available for anyone who qualifies, or any person can collect 500 signatures of Portland voters instead of paying a fee," ensuring opportunities for candidacy remain accessible to individuals from diverse economic backgrounds, as stated by the City of Portland.
