Latest returns show voters rejecting both of Wilsonville's term limit ballot measures

This story has been updated from its original version.

Based on the latest returns, Wilsonville voters are rejecting two ballot measures related to term limits.

Measure 3-608, which clarifies the amount of time that counts as a year in office, was losing with just over 50% opposed as of Thursday afternoon with 4,167 votes counted by the Oregon Secretary of State's Office. Measure 3-609, which proposed a more substantial change to the term limits that were approved in 2020, is now losing with 54% opposed and 4,283 votes counted.

Two measures related to Wilsonville City Council term limits were on the May 21 ballot. One aimed to modify the current term limit rules to allow for a two-term city councilor to run for two terms as mayor, while the other was intended to clarify how one year or less of service is calculated related to term limits.

Current language also states that one year of service is calculated as 365.25 days, but the explanatory statement specifies that any amount of time served by someone appointed to finish a term of office counts towards years of service. For example, if a person was appointed to fill a vacancy for the remaining three months of a term, that time would count as a year of service.

Measure 3-608 would allow time served by a person appointed to fill a vacancy for less than one year to be excluded from “years of service” calculations. The time would count for years of service calculations if the appointed person serves more than one year.

Meanwhile, Measure 3-609 would update rules for term limits to allow a two-term city councilor to serve two consecutive terms as mayor, for 16 years of service within 20 years. This would be the only scenario allowing for more than 12 years of service.

Under the current law city councilors can only serve 12 years in a 20-year period. The limit applies to all positions, including councilor, council president, mayor or any combination of those positions. Because terms last four years, a two-term city councilor would only be able to serve one term as mayor.

Previously, community members in favor of the resolutions expressed concern that the current term limits would result in frequent one-term mayors and a lack of experienced leaders. City councilors said in past meetings that having two terms of councilor experience allows for a better understanding of city government before taking on the role as mayor.

Those opposed to the ballot measures shared concern at past council meetings about abuse of the system, discussing scenarios where a council could appoint a person to fill a vacancy near an election and give the appointee incumbent advantage in the election. They also criticized the council’s desire to change term limits just four years after they were originally adopted.

This is Oregon’s second election affected by the new postmark rule. Ballots dropped off by 8 p.m. Tuesday or postmarked by then will count. In 2022, county election offices received a large amount of ballots at the last minute, delaying the final results in some races.

Wilsonville Mayor Julie Fitzgerald's ability to run for reelection this fall is affected by measures 3-608 and 3-609 due to a brief period of time that she was appointed to fill a vacancy before the start of her term as city councilor in 2013.

If measure 3-608 passes, Fitzgerald will be eligible to run for a second term as mayor.

With these two measures and another Wilsonville ballot measure on creating an urban renewal district in Town Center, which is also close in votes, Fitzgerald said the election is another example of why every vote counts and she is awaiting the final tally.

Fitzgerald, who supports measures 3-608 and 3-609, said measure 3-608 is logical, noting past examples of councilors resigning due to personal emergency or moving out of state and a vacant seat needing to be filled. She also said without measure 3-609, the city may have a lack of experienced mayors.

Fitzgerald said the measures would give voters the opportunity to decide who they want to be elected.

"It doesn't mean that the person gets to be elected. It means the voters have the chance to vote for them, or not," Fitzgerald said.

This story will be updated.