ORS 248.007: Organization of major political parties; applicability of ORS 248.012 to 248.315; election of precinct committeepersons; notice to Secretary of State; use of primary election.

(1) Subject to ORS 248.005, a major political party may organize and select delegates to national party conventions in any manner. (2) The provisions of ORS 248.012 to 248.315 do not apply to a major political party if the party has notified the Secretary of State as provided in subsection (5) of this section that the party does not intend to be subject to the provisions of ORS 248.012 to 248.315. References to precinct committeepersons in any provisions of ORS chapters 246 to 260 do not apply to a party described in this subsection. (3) ORS 248.012 to 248.315 apply only to a major political party that has notified the Secretary of State as provided in subsection (5) of this section that the political party intends to be subject to the provisions of ORS 248.012 to 248.315. References to precinct committeepersons in any provisions of ORS chapters 246 to 260 shall apply to a party described in this subsection. If a major political party fails to notify the Secretary of State under this subsection, the party shall be considered subject to the provisions of ORS 248.012 to 248.315. (4) A major political party shall notify the Secretary of State as provided in subsection (5) of this section if the party does not intend to be subject to the provisions of ORS 248.012 to 248.315 except that the party intends to elect precinct committeepersons. If a party notifies the Secretary of State under this subsection, the party shall elect precinct committeepersons only as provided in ORS 248.015 and shall elect precinct committeepersons in the same manner in all precincts in this state. (5) Not later than the 271st day before the date of the primary election, a major political party shall notify the Secretary of State in writing whether or not the party intends to be subject to the provisions of ORS 248.012 to 248.315 or whether the party intends to elect precinct committeepersons under subsection (4) of this section. If the major political party does not intend to be subject to the provisions of ORS 248.012 to 248.315 or intends to elect precinct committeepersons under subsection (4) of this section, the party shall file with the Secretary of State, at the same time notice is given under this subsection, a copy of its organizational documents setting forth the manner in which its officers and managing committees are selected or any other manner in which it conducts its affairs. (6) In each even-numbered year, a major political party shall file with the Secretary of State a statement indicating that the party is operating subject to ORS 248.012 to 248.315 or a copy of current organizational documents setting forth the manner in which its officers and managing committees are selected or any other manner in which it conducts its affairs. Material described in this subsection shall be filed between the 271st and the 277th day before the third Tuesday in May of each odd-numbered year. (7) A major political party subject to the provisions of this section shall nominate candidates of the major political party, for other than political party office, at the primary election. [1993 c.797 §3; 1995 c.712 §15; 2017 c.749 §5]