November 2026 Charter Amendments - Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

In November 2026, voters in Corvallis will have the opportunity to consider a ballot measure that proposes changes to the City of Corvallis Charter.

Here are answers to some common questions relating to the proposed measure.

Q: What is the City Charter?

A: The City Charter serves as the Constitution for the City of Corvallis. It is a governing framework that defines the organization, powers, functions and procedures of City government. It is adopted by voters and can only be amended or revised by voters.  The current version of the Charter was originally adopted in 1948 and was amended by voters most recently in May 2026.

Q: Was the Charter recently amended?

A: Yes. In May 2026, Corvallis voters passed four ballot measures that updated the Charter to more closely align with the League of Oregon Cities Model Charter. The May 2026 measures are already in effect. This new proposed amendment is an additional measure that has been referred for voter consideration.

Q: What is the measure that will be on the November 3, 2026 ballot?

A: If passed, Measure 2-159 would amend Corvallis City Charter to change City Council, wards and terms.

Q: What would Measure 2-159 do, if passed?

A: If passed, this measure would amend three (3) sections within the City Charter. Sections 8, 9, and 10 would be amended with the following changes:

• Change the number of City Councilors and Wards from nine to six
• Change Councilor terms of office from two to four years with staggered elections
• Set term limits of three consecutive terms for Councilors and the Mayor

Q:  What happens if the measure does not pass?

If the measure is not passed, the changes listed here would not be implemented, and the current version of the Corvallis City Charter would remain in place.

Q: How did this measure get on the ballot?

A: The City Council established a Charter Review Task Force in 2025 to review the existing City Charter and look for areas that could be revised. The Task Force was composed of three City Councilors, three community volunteers, and the Mayor. The Task Force held a series of public meetings and recommended referring a ballot measure to voters to update the structure of our local government. When considering these recommendations, the Task Force examined data from other cities in Oregon, as well as an analysis completed by a volunteer advisory committee on possible Charter changes.

Q: How does Corvallis measure up compared to other cities in Oregon?

According to information compiled by the Task Force, the most common size for similarly sized cities in Oregon is six Councilors, compared to nine in Corvallis. All comparator cities examined by the Task Force elected their officials to staggered four-year terms, compared to concurrent two-year terms in Corvallis. Corvallis is the only city in Oregon currently using concurrent two-year terms for its elected Councilors.

More information about the Task Force’s work is available on the City of Corvallis website.

Q: Where can I read the specific text changes that are proposed for these proposed Charter amendments?

A: The specific text changes for the proposed Charter amendment is available at https://www.corvallisoregon.gov/cm/page/november-2026-election-ballot-me...

For questions about voter registration, ballot return, or other election procedures, contact the Benton County Elections Office at 541-766-6756 or elections@bentoncountyor.gov.