Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026

Grants Pass City Council Election 2026

4 of 8

council seats up

4 contests

8 candidates

Updated Oct 5, 2026. Every claim links to its source. How we check →

The candidates

Listed alphabetically by last name. Every position links to its source.

City Council Ward 1 · 1 seat

Michael J. O'CoyneRealtor with RE/MAX Integrity and founding board member of Main Street Grants Pass. His site lists service on the city Tourism Advisory Committee and Development Code Task Force.3sourced
Rob PellIncumbentCouncilor, Ward 1; Council President8sourced

City Council Ward 2 · 1 seat

City Council Ward 3 · 1 seat

City Council Ward 4 · Unopposed

Tom BradbeerFormer Rogue Community College dean of human resources and Tillamook County economic development director, according to his candidate filing.2sourced

Voters citywide choose one councilor for each of Wards 1 to 4; each ward has two councilors and one of the two seats is on the ballot.

2 notes on these statements

Seth Benham is the Ward 3 representative, was sworn in March 3, 2025, and his term ends December 31, 2026. City of Grants Pass staff directory, Seth Benham

Councilors elected in November 2026 serve terms ending approximately December 31, 2030. City of Grants Pass candidate filings certified to the Josephine County Clerk, Aug. 26, 2026 · Aug 26, 2026

Already on the council, not on the ballot

Whoever you elect will govern alongside these members.

Kathleen KrohnCouncilor, Ward 4; term ends December 31, 20287sourced Victoria MarshallCouncilor, Ward 2; term ends December 31, 20288sourced Indra NicholasCouncilor, Ward 1; term ends December 31, 20286sourced Clint ScherfMayor; term ends December 31, 20281sourced Erich SchloeglCouncilor, Ward 3; term ends December 31, 20288sourced

Start here

Match quiz5 questions · answers stay on your phone Seat the CouncilPick winners, see the council What council decidesHousing and development, Public camping and public order, City employee pay Key datesDeadlines and vote centers

Next date

Last day to register to vote

Tue, Oct 13, 2026

All key dates

What the next council decides

Housing and development

Where it standsThe council approved a mixed-income housing agreement on a 5-4 vote in June 2026 and has other housing and land-use items in progress.

What's on the tableWhether and how the city partners with developers and programs on housing, and how it handles land-use appeals and code changes.

On June 17, 2026 the council adopted a resolution authorizing the City Manager to enter into an agreement with Allenwood Homes, LLC to construct a mixed-income residential development at 175 and 225 Allenwood Drive and to convey real property; the vote was 5-4. Grants Pass City Council minutes, June 17, 2026 · Jun 17, 2026
On August 19, 2026 the council adopted a resolution implementing the Moderate-Income Revolving Loan Program with Oregon Housing and Community Services; seven members voted yes and one abstained. Grants Pass City Council minutes, August 19, 2026 · Aug 19, 2026
On July 1, 2026 the council tabled an ordinance amending Development Code articles related to Middle Housing Land Divisions. Grants Pass City Council minutes, July 1, 2026 · Jul 1, 2026
A hearing on an appeal of the Urban Area Planning Commission's denial of the Eden Glen PUD at 1907 Fruitdale Drive was postponed to September 16, 2026. Grants Pass City Council minutes, September 2, 2026 · Sep 2, 2026

Public camping and public order

Where it standsThe city settled a camping lawsuit in 2025 and in 2026 adopted ordinances on sleeping in public places, park exclusion and civil exclusion.

What's on the tableHow the city enforces its public-order rules and what resting space it provides.

In August 2025 the council unanimously approved a settlement requiring a low-barrier resting space for 150 people within the urban growth boundary for one year and a $60,000 grant to a nonprofit that provides services. Jefferson Public Radio, Grants Pass City Council votes to settle homeless lawsuit · Aug 9, 2025
On May 20, 2026 the council authorized the City Manager to make changes to the authorized resting sites established by Resolution No. 25-7559, by a 4-3 vote. Grants Pass City Council minutes, May 20, 2026 · May 20, 2026
On June 3, 2026 the council adopted an ordinance amending code sections including sleeping on sidewalks, streets, alleys or within doorways and temporary exclusion from city parks; the vote was 8-0. Grants Pass City Council minutes, June 3, 2026 · Jun 3, 2026
On July 1, 2026 the council adopted an ordinance adding Municipal Code Chapter 6.48, Civil Exclusion, and declaring an emergency; the vote was 6-0. Grants Pass City Council minutes, July 1, 2026 · Jul 1, 2026

City employee pay

Where it standsThe council adjusted non-bargaining salary schedules by a 7-1 vote in June 2026 after taking up a compensation study in April.

What's on the tableHow the city sets pay for employees not covered by a union contract.

On April 15, 2026 the council took up a resolution authorizing notice of intent to award the non-bargaining salary and compensation study proposal. Grants Pass City Council minutes, April 15, 2026 · Apr 15, 2026
On June 17, 2026 the council adopted a resolution authorizing the City Manager to adjust the salary schedules for non-bargaining employees; the vote was 7-1. Grants Pass City Council minutes, June 17, 2026 · Jun 17, 2026

Park events and fee waivers

Where it standsThe council has approved fee waivers for park events in 2026, some of them amended to keep security or damage deposits.

What's on the tableWhether the city waives park fees for community events and on what terms.

On May 20, 2026 the council approved commercial activity at Reinhart Volunteer Park for the 2026 4th of July event, as amended to waive reservation fees but not the security deposit; the vote was 6-1. Grants Pass City Council minutes, May 20, 2026 · May 20, 2026
On June 3, 2026 the council approved commercial activity at Riverside Park and a fee waiver for the 2026 Cruise the Rogue event; the vote was 8-0. Grants Pass City Council minutes, June 3, 2026 · Jun 3, 2026
On July 15, 2026 the council approved commercial activity at Riverside Park for the 2026 Medicine Show Revival event, as amended to waive all fees except the damage deposit; the vote was 5-1. Grants Pass City Council minutes, July 15, 2026 · Jul 15, 2026

Public safety and the budget

Where it standsThe council adopted the fiscal year 2027 budget unanimously in June 2026 and asked the state to revisit a 2021 law.

What's on the tableHow the city funds public safety and what it asks of the state.

On June 3, 2026 the council adopted the resolution adopting the budget and making appropriations for fiscal year 2027; the vote was 8-0. Grants Pass City Council minutes, June 3, 2026 · Jun 3, 2026
On July 1, 2026 the council adopted a resolution supporting modification or repeal of Senate Bill 48 (2021) to enhance public safety; the vote was 6-0. Grants Pass City Council minutes, July 1, 2026 · Jul 1, 2026

Who matches you?

Answer any of these questions. We compare your answers with each person's sourced record, and nothing is stored. Questions where no one has a sourced record yet are left out. Tap a selected answer again to skip it.

1. Should the city enter agreements with developers to build mixed-income housing?
2. How should the city handle public camping and public-order violations?
3. Should the city adjust pay schedules for non-union employees now?
4. Should the city waive park fees for community events?
5. Should the city ask the state to change Senate Bill 48 (2021)?

Seat the Council →

Pick a winner for each open seat and see where the resulting council stands on each issue.

Key dates

Last day to register to voteOregon Secretary of State, Upcoming ElectionsOct 13, 2026
Counties begin mailing ballotsOregon Secretary of State, Upcoming ElectionsOct 14, 2026
Last recommended day to return ballots by mailOregon Secretary of State, Upcoming ElectionsOct 27, 2026
Election Day; last day to return ballots by drop box (8 p.m.)Oregon Secretary of State, Upcoming ElectionsNov 3, 2026

The seat math

5 stay (not up this year): Kathleen Krohn, Victoria Marshall, Indra Nicholas, Clint Scherf, Erich Schloegl4 on this ballot

8 council seats plus a mayor who doesn't vote on council items. The council decides by a 5-vote majority.

The council has 8 members elected at large on a nonpartisan ballot, with 2 from each of 4 wards, serving four-year terms; one councilor from each ward is elected at each biennial general election. City of Grants Pass Charter, Chapter III - Form of Government
The mayor serves an elected four-year term without salary, conducts council meetings, votes in tie situations, and may veto resolutions and ordinances. City of Grants Pass, How Your City Government Works
Grants Pass has a council-manager form of government; the council employs a City Manager who runs city staff. City of Grants Pass, City Council page

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