Voting Methods

Amid deepening dissatisfaction with how Portland runs, or too often fails to, a proposed measure to transform city government is among the most consequential to appear on ballots in recent memory.

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.

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.

It’s on the ballot in Nevada, and it may be coming soon to a state near you.

The group gave more than $131,000 to the largest committee opposing the Measure 26-228 between Nov. 1 and Nov. 7, constituting nearly 40% of the total $332,000 the committee raised.

They include provisions that would require the city to consider the environmental impact of all municipal decisions, allow Portland residents to decide how to spend millions of city dollars each year and potentially expand voting rights to noncitizens.

Oregonians deserve to have the same equal rights to vote in Oregon's taxpayer-funded elections, whether or not they are affiliated with a political party, writes former congressional candidate Andrew Kalloch. That's why Oregonians should support Initiative Petition 16, which seeks to ensure that access.