VOTE FOR RECOMMENDED REFORMS TO CITY CHARTER BALLOT MEASURES ON NOVEMBER 8, 2022.
District-Based Representation
The proposed ballot measure establishes a need for geographic district-based representation. Portlanders deserve to be equitably represented! To do so we have to acknowledge that SW, NW, SE and N/NE Portland have varying needs and require advocacy to address their uniqueness. SW has hills and water issues, SE has displacement and lacks infrastructure investments and N/NE have density challenges. Boundaries will be drawn every 10 years in conjunction with the census to ensure equal population representation within each boundary. Geographic-based representation tends to result in more civic engagement within the community.
Increase the Size of City Council
Our council size of four has not changed in over a century while our population has more than quadrupled. With four newly drawn boundaries, there will be three elected officials for a total of 12 City Council members and a Mayor. Increasing our representation will provide us more access to our elected officials so that we can inform and shape the government we want. District-based elections will likely reduce the cost of campaigning because candidates focus on a smaller constituency lowering the barriers for less-funded candidates to run for office.
City Manager: Separation of Executive & Legislative Powers
Currently, in addition to legislative and budget work, our five City Council members (four commissioners and the Mayor) manage 24 bureaus, offices, and liaisons. Yes, you read that correctly - 24!
Bureau management is determined by the Mayor and can be changed at any time. The Charter Commission proposes to move away from the current system and instead hire a professional City Manager.
With this new structure, the City Council will set policy, make laws and determine annual budgets. This will free up City Council to engage more constituents and will improve the quality of laws passed and government responsiveness.
The City Manager will manage bureaus and implement policy passed by City Council. Just as importantly, the City Manager position will offer continuity in managing beyond a four-year election cycle and the whims of the Mayor.
Change to One November Election & Eliminate May Primary
November elections typically have the highest average voter turnout. In order to better ensure more Portlanders help elect their City leaders, the May primaries will be eliminated. Under our current two-stage election system, a different (May) electorate often sets up candidate choices for another (November) electorate -- an electorate whose turnout more consistently mirrors the demographics of the city. Moving to a single election would reduce financial barriers for candidates and widen the pool of candidates who would even consider running by reducing campaign timelines and expenses.
Change to Rank Choice Voting
Currently, Portland voters can only pick one candidate when they vote for City Commissioners. Allowing voters to rank candidates in their order of preference using ranked-choice voting gives voters more choices to express their true preferences and allows us to elect leaders who represent our communities.