PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Portland’s official slogan is “The City That Works,” but after a tumultuous few years, many residents feel the city is anything but that. Homelessness and gun violence are surging and parts of downtown are struggling, unable to recover from the coronavirus pandemic and the racial justice protests that gripped the city in 2020.

A measure on the November ballot that would radically transform Portland city government would install a City Council structure unused by any city in the nation, make it harder to hold City Council members accountable and open the door for fringe candidates to win a seat, the editorial board writes. Voters should vote no on Measure 26-228 and look to an alternative from Commissioner Mingus Mapps next year.

The political campaign promoting a contested ballot measure to change Portland’s form of government and election system continues to draw big bucks from a small cluster of non-profit advocacy groups and wealthy backers.

The political campaign promoting a contested ballot measure to change Portland’s form of government and election system continues to draw big bucks from a small cluster of non-profit advocacy groups and wealthy backers.