Lake Oswego City Council election season begins next week

Although the May primary election concluded late last month, a new election cycle that will determine the future makeup of Lake Oswego City Council awaits.

The City Council application filing period opens Wednesday, June 5 and will run until Aug. 20.

In the November election, Mayor Joe Buck’s position will be up for grabs as well as seats held by Councilors Rachel Verdick, Massene Mboup and Aaron Rapf.

Lake Oswego has term limits that prevent a mayor/councilor from holding office for more than eight consecutive years. However, all four candidates were first elected in 2020 and are therefore eligible to run for a second term. The election will take place Nov. 5.

The mayor’s race is separate from the council race, where the three candidates who receive the most votes will fill the other three open seats.

To qualify to run for office, candidates must be registered to vote in Oregon and have lived within the city for the 12 months immediately preceding the election. They must continue to be a resident while in office. The city recommends prospective candidates set up a meeting with the city recorder to go over application requirements and deadlines. Candidates will need to obtain signatures from at least 20 Lake Oswego voters to be eligible for placement on the ballot.

Terms of office begin Jan. 1 2025 and end Dec. 31, 2028.