What’s on the January 2026 ballot in Sherwood?
Two charter amendments could alter Sherwood’s future process for property developments
Many Sherwood voters are receiving their ballots in the mail for the upcoming January 13, 2026 special election.
This comes after the Sherwood City Council voted in October 2025 to hold the special election as an emergency, which is only allowed under Oregon law when an immediate threat exists that would cause hardship.
“Delaying these amendments until the next regular election could mean losing more of our home rule authority, the very principle that allows us to make decisions locally, with input from our residents, rather than being told what to do by the state,” said Mayor Tim Rosener in a letter.
This comes after the Oregon Legislature passed HB 2003 in 2019, which requires cities with populations over 10,000 to study future housing needs and develop strategies to encourage housing development and production — and in Sherwood, this would mean adding 2,427 housing units over the next 20 years.
There are two measures on the January ballot that would amend the Sherwood city charter and affect the processes of future property developments.
Measure 34-347 would enshrine citizen involvement in land use decisions.
If passed, this would mean neighborhood meetings, public hearings, and notices would be required for certain land use applications. It is intended to ensure transparency and meaningful public participation in land usage.
Measure 34-348 would establish city authority over annexation decisions.
If passed, this would give the city exclusive authority over annexation decisions independent of state laws modifying such authority. This means all cases of annexation — except health hazards — would require the approval of Sherwood voters and be required to go through hearings, notices, and the democratic process.
If these measures do not pass, the charter language would not be updated.
Neither measure is predicted to have any fiscal impact on the city.
If a Sherwood voter did not receive their ballot by December 31, 2025, contact Washington County Elections at 503-846-5800 or Elections@washingtoncountyor.gov.
To vote, be sure to return ballots in the mail; at the Washington County Elections Office at 2925 N.E. Aloclek Dr., Hillsboro; or at the Sherwood Public Library ballot drop box at 22560 S.W. Pine St. before January 13, 2026.
Bibliography:
Voters' Pamphlet: https://www.washingtoncountyor.gov/elections/documents/jan-13-2026-city-sherwood-voters-pamphlet/download?inline
Tim Rosener
Jules Rogers
Kristian Foden-Vencil
