Portland is changing how city council is elected and how it works

(JULY 31, 2024) Portland is making big changes to its government and voting system. Starting in January 2025, the city will have a new way of choosing leaders and a different structure for how the city is run. This change includes a new method called "ranked choice voting" and a new "mayor-council" government model.

In the new system, the city will be divided into four districts. Each district will elect three city councilors, making a total of 12 councilors. This is a significant change from the old system, where there were only five council members, including the mayor, elected by everyone in the city. The new districts aim to provide better representation for the different parts of Portland.

Ranked choice voting allows voters to rank candidates by preference instead of choosing just one. This means that if a voter's top choice doesn't win, their vote can still count towards their next preferred candidate. This system helps ensure that the elected officials better reflect the voters' preferences and can increase the chances of electing someone the voters like, even if that person is not their first choice.

The role of the mayor will also change. The mayor will no longer vote on city council decisions, except in rare cases to break a tie. Instead, the mayor will work closely with a new city administrator who will manage the daily operations of the city's departments. The city administrator will handle tasks like hiring staff and overseeing city services, while the city council focuses on making laws and policies.

This new structure aims to better represent the different parts of Portland and make the government more efficient. It also seeks to give more people a voice in how the city is run. As Portland prepares for these changes, the city is working hard to educate residents about the new system and ensure a smooth transition.