Candidate Filing Opens for Medford City Council Election

Published on July 06, 2026

Residents interested in helping shape the future of Medford are encouraged to consider running for City Council. Four City Council positions will be on the ballot for the November 3, 2026 General Election.

Elected councilors will serve four-year terms beginning January 1, 2027, and ending December 31, 2030.

Positions on the November 2026 Ballot

Ward 1: Jessica Ayres (Incumbent)
Ward 2: Zac Smith (Incumbent)
Ward 3: Kevin Stine (Incumbent)
Ward 4: Nick Card (Incumbent

What Does a City Councilor Do?

Medford City Councilors help establish city policies, adopt budgets, and make decisions that impact public safety, infrastructure, economic development, parks, and quality of life throughout the community.

City Council positions are volunteer public service roles and receive no monetary compensation.

Councilors are expected to:

Attend regular City Council meetings on the first and third Thursdays of each month at 6 p.m.
Attend monthly study sessions on the second Thursday of each month at 6 p.m.
Participate in additional meetings, boards, and committees as needed.

Councilors also serve on the Medford Urban Renewal Agency (MURA) Board and the City and MURA Budget Committees and may be appointed to additional boards and commissions.

Who Is Eligible to Run?

To qualify, candidates must:

Have lived continuously within Medford city limits for at least six months immediately preceding the election.
Reside in the ward they seek to represent and remain in that ward throughout their term.
Meet all other requirements outlined in Oregon election law

Candidate Filing Information

Candidate filing forms are available at the City Recorder's Office at Medford City Hall, 411 W. 8th St., Room 310.

Completed candidacy documents must be submitted by:

Incumbent candidates: 5 p.m. on Tuesday, August 11, 2026
Non-incumbent candidates: 5 p.m. on Tuesday, August 18, 2026

Residents interested in serving on the Medford City Council are encouraged to learn more about the responsibilities of the position and review candidate resources before filing.

For eligibility requirements, resources, and additional information, click here.