County Government

Adopted 1958. Updated 1964, 1976, 1978, 1983, 2004.

In the interest of providing economical and efficient county government that is responsive to the people, the Leagues of Women Voters of Portland and East Multnomah County support home rule for Multnomah County.

The Leagues of Women Voters of Portland and East Multnomah County also support:

• Separation of administrative and legislative functions;
• Salaries of elected officials based on recommendations by outside professional consultants with final approval by the Board of County Commissioners;
• Paid lobbyist (intergovernmental liaison) to represent Multnomah County’s interests;
• Election of Multnomah County Commissioners and Auditor;
• Appointment of Sheriff, Assessor and Director of Elections;
• Election of County Commissioners from single-member districts;
• Freedom for an elected official to run for another office without having to resign from his/her current office;
• Filling of vacancies on the board of County Commissioners by appointment, with appointees free to run for election;
• No limit on the number of terms elected officials may serve;
• Clearance of initiative petitions by their sponsors with an officer similar to legislative counsel to ensure correct wording and legal application.