November 5, 2024 General Election - Mayor and Council Positions

2024 City of Cottage Grove ~ Local Voters' Pamphlet

Three seats on the Cottage Grove City Council and the office of Mayor will be filled by voters in the November 5, 2024 General Election.  The Mayor’s position will be a two-year term expiring December 2026 and the Councilor positions are four-year terms, expiring December 2028. The Mayor position is currently held by Candace Solesbee; the Councilor at Large position is currently held by Alex Dreher, Ward 2 is held by Jon Stinnett and Ward 4 is held by Greg Ervin.

In addition, based upon the outcome of the July 30, 2024 Recall Election, the City anticipates voters filling two additional Councilor seats at the November 5, 2024, General Election.  Those positions are the remaining terms of the Councilor Ward 1 position and the Councilor At-Large position, both expiring December 2026.  The City elections official cannot accept filings for either of these two positions until those positions are vacant.  At the latest, that should occur by Monday, August 26th, upon certification of the Recall Election results.

Be aware - August 27th is the deadline set by state law to file a declaration of candidacy or nominating petition for all positions.

To qualify as a candidate:

• The mayor and each councilor must be a qualified elector under state law and reside within the City for at least one year immediately before election or appointment to office. Ward councilors must also reside in the ward represented at the time of their nomination and election.
• No person may be a candidate at a single election for more than one office.
• Neither the mayor nor a councilor may be employed by the City. 
• The Council is the final judge of the election and qualifications of its members.  

Persons interested in filing for one of these positions should contact  Mindy Roberts, City Elections Official at 541-942-5501 or cityrecorder@cottagegrove.org to go over the Candidate Information Packet. 

Filing Deadlines:

• June 5th - First day a nomination petition or declaration of candidacy can be filed. (ORS 221.180)
• August 27th - Deadline to file a declaration of candidacy or nominating petition. (ORS 221.180)
• August 30th  - Deadline for a candidate to withdraw. (ORS 249.180)
• September 5th - Last day for a city election official to file a Certified Statement of Candidates. (ORS 254.095)

Candidate qualifications will be screened prior to the submission of the Certified Statement of Candidates. Click on the names below to view candidate filings. 
 

Candidates Filed for Mayor (Term Expiring 2026) :
Dana Merryday
Candace Lamb Solesbee
 

Candidates Filed for Councilor at Large (Term Expiring 2028) :
Richard Andrew
Patrick S Cartwright
Bernie Donner
Darrel Wilson

Candidates Filed for Councilor at Large (Term Expiring 2026):
Chris Holloman
Jim Settelmeyer
 

Candidates Filed for Ward 1 (Term Expiring 2026):
Christine Hyink
Kevin Adamski

Candidates Filed for Ward 2 (Term Expiring 2028) :
Randell Lammerman
 

Candidates Filed for Ward 4 (Term Expiring 2028):
Greg Ervin