By Irene Garnette
Nestucca Valley School District’s Vice Chair of the Board of Directors, Sherry Hartford, has been found guilty of violating ORS 260.665(2)(c) by the Oregon Secretary of State Elections Division.
ORS 260.665 pertains to campaigning individuals engaging in undue influence related to an event you organized in support of your candidacy for public office.
The Elections Division received an email from a community member in May 2025 containing the allegations against Hartford. The Division closed out their investigation into the matter in April 2026, after communications from Hartford herself.
The allegations were concerning the “Meet and Eat” campaign event on May 3, 2025. In her response to the Division, Hartford confirmed she independently planned and organized the event, and invited her fellow running mates, Jason Hagan, Greg Woods, and Kayla Cole, to join as hosts.
The specific issue was due to the advertised promise of “free burgers, chips, soda and cookie” to event attendees. The Division found that this was in violation, as the free items were “inducements to get event attendees to take a particular political action restricted by statute” ORS 260.665(2)(c).
*from Sherry Hartford’s Facebook post on the Friends of Neskowin page, April 26, 2025.
Director Hartford has been penalized with a civil fine of $100, as this was a first time violations. Additional violations of Oregon election law could accrue fines as high as $1,000 each.
Here is the complete letter from the Oregon Elections Division: Hartford- Closing Letter from Elections Division