County Commissioner
November 3, 2026 · Malheur County, Oregon · County · general
How do we calculate vote impact?
Vote impact = representation (how much weight one vote carries here, the smaller the district's population, the higher the representation) + decisiveness (how likely this race is to be close, based on past results and number of candidates).
Representation: Average · 51 out of 100
This district is mid-sized for its type, so each vote carries average weight. About 31,954 people live here.
score = 100 × ln(largest population ÷ this district's) ÷ ln(largest ÷ smallest), rounded to 2 decimals = 100 × ln(801,477 ÷ 31,954) ÷ ln(801,477 ÷ 1,485) = 51.22, comparing counties in OR (grades: 66+ high, 33+ average, otherwise low)
Decisiveness: None · only 1 candidate
One candidate is running unopposed, so votes can't change the outcome.
Average representation + an uncontested race → Below average vote impact.
County Commissioner is responsible for:
- Passing county rules and the county budget
- Setting property tax rates that fund county services
- Overseeing county departments such as roads, parks, and public health
- Deciding land use in areas outside city limits
Affected Areas: Environment and Public Health, Government Efficiency, Healthcare Affordability, Government Spending Reduction, Public Safety and Crime Control, Housing Affordability, Social Programs and Welfare, Public Infrastructure
Candidates
Jim Mendiola
Republican · Incumbent · declared
Jim Mendiola is a Malheur County Commissioner, serving on the three-member county court alongside the county judge and one other commissioner. He is from Vale, Oregon.
Election sources
Source: malheurco.org
Source: malheurco.org