Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026
Nyssa City Council Election 2026
4 of 7 council seats are on the ballot, with 7 candidates running. Updated Oct 20, 2026. Every claim links to its source. How we check
Not sure who to vote for? Answer 4 questions and see which candidates agree with you, and why.
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How to vote · 12 days left
Election Day; ballots due in a drop box by 8 p.m. or postmarked by Election Day (Nov 3): the election office's noticeThese links go to official state and county election sites. Hours and rules differ by state; your election office has the final word.
The candidates
Listed alphabetically by last name. Every position links to its source.
City Council
Vote for up to 4- Jesse BurgessJesse Burgess is a candidate for Nyssa City Council on the November 3, 2026 ballot.1sourced
- Paul A. DonovanPaul A. Donovan is retired from the U.S. Army and from the Oregon State Police Patrol Division. He lists 18 years with the Oregon State Police.1sourced
- Jerod EdmondsonJerod Edmondson is commander of Nyssa American Legion Post 79.3sourced
- Ron EdmondsonIncumbent8sourced
- Betty A. HolcombIncumbent9sourced
- Matt LuceroMatt Lucero has worked for more than 20 years at a local market.3sourced
- JJ RamirezJJ Ramirez is a candidate for Nyssa City Council on the November 3, 2026 ballot.1sourced
Voters choose up to four of the seven candidates in one citywide contest; the top three win four-year terms and the fourth-place finisher a two-year term.
Also on your Nov 3 ballot
We research city races only. For these races, go to the state's official guide or a nonpartisan one.
- Governor
- Brett Smith · Pacific Green
- Tina Kotek · Democrat, Working Families
- Christine Drazan · Republican, Libertarian
- U.S. Senate
- David Brock Smith · Republican
- Jeff Merkley · Democrat, Working Families
- Gary Lyndon Dye · Libertarian
- Chris Henry · Progressive, Pacific Green
Districts come from 2020 Census blocks and the district maps for this election. Your address decides your districts.
Already on the council, not on the ballot
Whoever you elect will govern alongside these members.
What the next council decides
01City budget and services3 sourced facts
Where it standsThe council adopted the 2026-2027 city budget with Resolution 1528-26 on June 9, 2026.
What's on the tableThe next council will adopt the 2027-2028 budget and set spending on streets, water, sewer, police and fire.
- City Manager Jim Maret said in June 2026 that planned street paving and chip sealing would use up the budget for 2026. Nyssa City Council minutes, June 9, 2026 · Jun 9, 2026
- City Manager Jim Maret reported in August 2026 that the city again did not receive the SCA grant. Nyssa City Council minutes, August 11, 2026 · Aug 11, 2026
- The Nyssa Budget Committee is made up of seven local residents who draft a budget for the council to adopt. City of Nyssa
02New water well2 sourced facts
Where it standsThe city engineer reported on September 8, 2026 that the water well project was progressing and its pump test had been done.
What's on the tableThe next council will oversee completion of the well and decide on grant applications to pay for infrastructure.
- The council approved Resolution 1535-26, a Regional Infrastructure Fund (RIF) grant application, on September 8, 2026. Nyssa City Council minutes, September 8, 2026 · Sep 8, 2026
- The city engineer reported at the March 10, 2026 meeting that he had held a pre-construction meeting for the new well project. Nyssa City Council minutes, March 10, 2026 · Mar 10, 2026
03Business growth and a health clinic proposal4 sourced facts
Where it standsValley Family Health asked the city in June 2026 to hold a city-owned property for a possible new clinic in Nyssa.
What's on the tableThe next council will decide how to respond to business and development proposals, including any renewed clinic request.
- Valley Family Health asked the city to consider a memorandum holding the property until it goes to the 2027 Oregon Legislature for funding. Nyssa City Council minutes, June 9, 2026 · Jun 9, 2026
- At the August 11, 2026 meeting, the council's consensus was that it was not interested in the Valley Family Health offer at that time. Nyssa City Council minutes, August 11, 2026 · Aug 11, 2026
- The Snake River Economic Development Alliance asked the city in July 2026 for $3,257 in 2026-2027 funding; no decision was made. Nyssa City Council minutes, July 14, 2026 · Jul 14, 2026
- Valley Family Health was listed for public comment on the October 13, 2026 council agenda. Nyssa City Council agenda, October 13, 2026 · Oct 13, 2026
2 notes on these statements
Councilor Juan Ramos resigned from the City Council effective June 25, 2026; Mayor Patricia Esplin read his letter at the July 14, 2026 meeting. Nyssa City Council minutes, July 14, 2026 · Jul 14, 2026
Jesse Burgess, Paul A. Donovan and JJ Ramirez did not respond by email to the Argus Observer's candidate questions. Argus Observer · Oct 12, 2026
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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 Nyssa offer incentives to attract and help new businesses?
2. How should Nyssa approach business growth?
3. Should water, sewer and police come first in city spending?
4. Should the city hire local or nearby contractors when possible?
Key dates
- Voter registration deadlineMalheur County ClerkOct 13, 2026
- Local ballots mailedMalheur County ClerkOct 14, 2026
- Election Day; ballots due in a drop box by 8 p.m. or postmarked by Election DayMalheur County ClerkNov 3, 2026
The seat math
2 stay (not up this year): Patricia Esplin, Mark Shuster4 on this ballot
7 council seats. The council decides by a 4-vote majority.
- The city's powers are vested in a council of seven members elected from the city at large. City of Nyssa Charter
- The three candidates with the most votes fill four-year terms, and the fourth fills a two-year term. Malheur County · Nov 3, 2026
- After each biennial general election, the council chooses a mayor from its own members for a two-year term. City of Nyssa Charter
- The mayor presides over council meetings and may vote as a councilman. City of Nyssa Charter
- The council meets the second Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m. in the City Council Chambers, 14 S 3rd. City of Nyssa
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