Portland will become the largest city in the country to use Proportional Ranked Choice Voting (RCV). Ballot Measure 26-228 passed in the 2022 midterms elections, updating the city charter to improve representation and accountability in government. Over 100 Portland business leaders, political science experts, labor unions and community and neighborhood groups came together to say yes to Ballot Measure 26-228. Now we, along with the in-state leaders Portland United for Change, are celebrating that voters overwhelmingly agreed.

Ballot Measure 26-228 will allow voters to rank candidates in order of preference on the ballot, establish city council districts so that Portland’s elected officials are accountable to their communities, and make government more effective and transparent through professional city management.

The City of Portland has used the same governing structure for over 100 years despite massive population and demographic changes. This year, the voters of Portland will have the opportunity to vote on a measure to improve and modernize the city’s governing charter, including a move to using proportional ranked choice voting, as well as an increase to the size of city council and the creation of new geographic districts. This package of reforms is the result of a two year citizen-led, collaborative and research-backed process led by a diverse coalition of members of the Portland community. Its passage will ensure that all Portlanders have a government that is truly representative of and accountable to the people.

Portland United for Change is leading a coalition to pass meaningful and comprehensive change to Portland’s government with help from NextUp Oregon, Coalition of Communities of Color, More Equitable Democracy Action, RepresentUs, the League of Women Voters and others.