Coming Soon: May 20, 2025 Special District Elections! What Offices Will Be on Jackson County Ballots?
Scroll down to find the local boards that will be holding elections this coming spring. You, too, can serve. If you’ve ever thought of running for office, this is your golden opportunity! Even in the most conservative areas of our county, voters have elected moderates and progressives to local office when they focus on solutions that address real needs. These are all nonpartisan positions, so you don’t need to belong to a political party to file for office. Right now is a great time to learn more about running for office or volunteering for a campaign. Email [email protected] for information. Or perhaps you know of a strong progressive friend who would be a good candidate for a local board? Please help them connect with our party for more information. SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARDS Every voter in Jackson County resides in one of the school districts below. Use this link to find out which district you reside in. Click on a school district to visit their website, where you can find out about upcoming meetings and the board incumbents. Ashland (Dist. 5) Butte Falls (Dist. 91) Central Point (Dist. 6) Eagle Point (Dist. 9) Medford (Dist. 549c) Phoenix-Talent (Dist.4) Pinehurst (Dist. 94) Prospect (Dist. 59) Rogue River (Dist. 35) Three Rivers (Dist. # unknown) Key responsibilities: Set district policy and educational goals, hire and oversee the superintendent, approve budgets, and engage with community members in various ways. How many positions will be on the ballot: Most public school boards have 6 to 8 directors who serve 4-year terms. Half of the positions will be on the ballot in May 2025, and the others will be up in 2027.
Concerns: Far-right groups have increasingly targeted public school boards with harassment campaigns, often accusing board members and educators of promoting "woke" ideologies, critical race theory, and LGBTQ+ rights. These attacks, often fueled by misinformation, aim to influence local education policies and create divisions within communities over what should be taught in schools.
JACKSON COUNTY LIBRARY DISTRICT BOARD (JCLD) Every voter in the county resides within this service district. Use this link to find out about upcoming meetings and view recordings of past meetings. Key responsibilities: Develops long-term plans and policies for the district. Hires and evaluates library director and key staff positions. Oversees financial and facilities management as well as library programming and operations. Engages with the community in various ways, addresses public concerns. How many positions will be on the ballot: Out of a total of five positions, two will be on the 2025 ballot. The incumbents are Viki Brown and Marta Tarantsey.
Concerns: As with public school boards, we have seen evidence of “culture wars” during some board meetings. In the past couple of years, local right-wing talk radio hosts have mobilized some community members to dominate public comment sessions to demonize programs serving homeless and LGBTQ community members, as well as library policies having to do with DEI (diversity-equity-inclusion).
ROGUE COMMUNITY COLLEGE EDUCATION BOARD (RCC) This special district spans Josephine as well as Jackson Counties and is comprised of seven zones. Use this link to find out what zone you live in. Use this link to find the meeting schedule and locations, agendas, and minutes. Zoom links are included as a part of meeting agendas. Key responsibilities: Oversees the governance and strategic direction of the college, including policy development, financial oversight, academic leadership, hiring and evaluating the President, and community engagement. Overall, the Board ensures that the college provides quality education while being financially sound and responsive to community needs.
How many positions will be on the ballot: Zone positions that will be on the 2025 ballot include Zone 2 in Josephine County and Zones 3, 6, and 7 in Jackson County. Find out who the incumbents are here.
SOUTHERN OREGON EDUCATION SERVICE DISTRICT BOARD (SOESD) Every voter in the county is a part of this service district. Use this link to find out which SOESD zone you live in. In the map options to the right of the map, deselect City Limits, Tax Lots, and Voting Precincts. Then select Education Service District. You will see a map of the zones. Enter your street address at the top left. Then left-click on the map one time to find out which zone your address is in. Key responsibilities: Based in Medford, SOESD provides administrative, technology, professional development and other services to 13 public school districts in Jackson, Josephine, and Klamath Counties. The SOESD Board develops policy that governs the district’s overall direction and operations, overseeing financial management, program delivery, and personnel; advocates for the needs of students and educators at the state and federal levels; hires and evaluates the SOESD superintendent and other key staff members; and ensures collaboration with local school districts to address shared challenges and opportunities. How many positions will be on the ballot: This board has a zone-based system with nine members spanning three counties. Board members serve 4-year terms. In Jackson County, Zones 5, 6, 7, and 8 will be on the 2025 ballot. Zone 9 will be up in 2027. Use this link to find a list of incumbents.
Special Concerns: SOESD provides specialized services for students with disabilities throughout Southern Oregon. In view of President-Elect Trump’s plans to dismantle the Department of Education, funds for these services could be threatened as the US Department of Education oversees the state’s implementation of Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA.) Strong board candidates are needed who will advocate for vulnerable students and families in Southern Oregon.
ROGUE VALLEY SEWER SERVICES BOARD (RVSS) Use this link to find out whether you reside within the RVSS District. Use this link to see a list of current board members and to access meeting information. Key responsibilities: Develop and adopt policies that govern the district's operations, including financial management, rate-setting, and service standards. Identify and prioritize capital improvement projects, such as upgrades to treatment plants and sewer lines. Additional responsibilities include compliance with regulations and community engagement.
How many positions will be on the ballot: Two positions will be on the 2025 ballot (Incumbents: Roger Thom and John Edwards). All positions are “at large.” This means that there are no zones and district voters will be able to vote for up to two candidates. The top two vote-getters will be elected to four-year terms beginning July 1, 2025.
ROGUE VALLEY TRANSPORTATION DISTRICT BOARD (RVTD) Use this link to see if you reside within the RVTD district. On the menu at the right of the map, select the RVTD District option. Use this link to find information about upcoming meetings (including the option to view them online) and a list of current board members. Key responsibilities: This board oversees planning, policy and operations for the district’s bus routes connecting Medford, Ashland, Central Point, Talent, Phoenix, White City, and Jacksonville (To see an interactive route map, use this link.) The district also provides transportation for seniors and individuals with disabilities who are unable to use fixed-route buses (Translink,Valley Lift, etc.). Involving the public in the decision making process is another key responsibility, especially in regard to potential expansion of services and infrastructure.
How many positions will be on the ballot: The 2025 ballot will include Positions 5, 6 and 7, with the other four positions coming up in 2027.
FIRE DISTRICT BOARDS Use this link to determine whether you live in one of these districts. You’ll see a menu of options at the right of the map. Select Fire Districts and deselect Tax Lots and Voting Precincts. Then use the Zoom features to find your location and district. Click on a fire district below to visit their website, where you can find out about upcoming meetings and the board incumbents. Note: RFPD = Rural Fire Protection District Applegate Valley RFPD Colestin RFPD Evans Valley RFPD Greensprings RFPD Jackson County RFPD #3 Jackson County RFPD #4 Jackson County RFPD #5 Lake Creek RFPD Medford RFPD #2 Prospect RFPD Rogue River RFPD
Key responsibilities: Policymaking, financial management, hiring and oversight of the first chief, oversight of operations, personnel management, equipment and facilities, community safety and emergency planning, interagency cooperation, public relations, and legal compliance. How many positions will be on the ballot: varies. Take a look at the 2021 election results to find the fire district positions that were on the ballot four years ago. Scroll down to pp. 5-9 to find your district. Special concern: Jackson County Fire District 5 has serious financial challenges and recently underwent major changes to the board and staff. It’s important for us to find diligent candidates who are willing to learn and work hard to help the district re-establish stability. As this map shows, FD5 includes areas around Ashland, Talent, and Phoenix. Special District Elections Deadlines: February 7, 2025 - Notice of election and open board positions posted online February 8, 2025 - Candidate filing begins March 20, 2025 - Candidate filing/withdrawal deadline March 24, 2025 - Voters' pamphlet filing deadline (candidate statements & measure arguments) April 29, 2025 - Voter registration deadline May 2, 2025 - Ballots mailed to voters May 20, 2025 - Election Day | 