St. HelensNot a ballot

Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026

St. Helens Mayor & City Council Election 2026

3 of 5 council seats are on the ballot, with 7 candidates running. Updated Oct 5, 2026. Every claim links to its source. How we check

Not sure who to vote for? Answer 5 questions and see which candidates agree with you, and why.

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Nov 3Election Day

How to vote · 11 days left

Find where to voteCheck your registration
Election Day (Nov 3): the election office's notice

These 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.

All voters choose the mayor and up to two of the five council candidates; every position is elected at large.

Election Day · Nov 3

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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
    Official candidate list, in its order
  • U.S. Senate
    • David Brock Smith · Republican
    • Jeff Merkley · Democrat, Working Families
    • Gary Lyndon Dye · Libertarian
    • Chris Henry · Progressive, Pacific Green
    Official candidate list, in its order
  • U.S. HouseDistrict 1
  • State SenateDistrict 16
  • State House of RepresentativesDistrict 31
Official voter lookupState voter guideVote411 (League of Women Voters)

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

01Police levy4 sourced facts

Where it standsMeasure 5-312, a five-year police levy, is on the Nov. 3 ballot after voters rejected a $24 monthly fee in May.

What's on the tableThe council will manage police staffing and the general fund based on whether voters approve the levy.

02City budget and services3 sourced facts

Where it standsThe city's general fund is smaller than last year, with staff furloughs and reduced library hours.

What's on the tableThe council will set spending priorities, including library hours, tourism and police funding.

03Industrial development and data centers3 sourced facts

Where it standsThe council adopted a resolution on large industrial projects, but no data center plans are in motion.

What's on the tableThe council will decide whether to change city codes to apply the resolution's standards to developers.

04Utility bill fees2 sourced facts

Where it standsNew municipal fees on utility bills require voter approval, while the $10.30 public safety fee remains.

What's on the tableThe council could amend city rules on fees, which it adopted by ordinance.

1 note on these statements

Steve Toschi and Jennifer Massey both ran for mayor in 2024. Columbia County Spotlight · Aug 25, 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. 1. How should St. Helens fund its police department?

  2. 2. How high should police rank in the city budget?

  3. 3. What should the city do about the library?

  4. 4. How should the city fund tourism and events?

  5. 5. How should St. Helens treat large industrial projects like data centers?

Seat the councilSeat the Council →Pick a winner for each open seat and see where the resulting council stands on each issue.New · How St. Helens is runWho runs St. Helens, and what it costsWho the city manager is, council pay, whether the city is in the red, and where your property tax goes.

Key dates

The seat math

2 stay (not up this year): Jessica Chilton, Russell Hubbard3 on this ballot

5 council seats. The council decides by a 3-vote majority.

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