We’ve updated our Directory of Elected Officials, with information from the results of the May 2023 Special Election. Read it by clicking here. You’ll find information about how to contact all the elected representatives who serve people in our area. There are websites, emails, or phone numbers for everyone from President Biden to the directors of the Fire Districts.
When you have a concern about government, you can use this contact info to ask questions or express your opinion. The Directory also has information about political parties and voter registration. Finally, if you need more details about area governments, check out the Contact Elected Officials page of this website.
Learn about plans for a new Community Board to investigate police misconduct – October 11
On Wednesday, October 11, from 7 to 8:30 pm, the League of Women Voters of Portland will present a Zoom webinar on “A new Community Board for Police Accountability.” The speakers include members of the Police Accountability Commission (PAC), who spent thousands of volunteer hours planning the details of how this new community board will operate. The final plan carries out the requirements in the charter amendment that voters passed in November 2020 by almost 82%. A representative of the U.S. Department of Justice will also speak.
PANELISTS:
Yume Delegato (PAC member) will cover how the Community Board for Police Accountability members will be selected and their powers and duties as they relate to police misconduct cases and policy recommendations.
Dan Handelman (PAC member) will explain how the new Civilian Office of Police Accountability will handle police misconduct cases.
Faythe Aiken (PAC member) will describe the Transition Plan for moving from the current police oversight system to the new system over the next approximately two years.
And:
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jared Hager, U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division, will explain what the Settlement Agreement between the city and the U.S. DOJ requires of the city as it enacts its new police accountability system.
Members of the public are invited to join us for this Zoom Webinar by registering on or before October 10 at 8 pm. Those watching the live program on October 11 will be able to enter questions in the chat. The short registration form is here.
On September 19, 2023, a panel of leading experts discussed the work accomplished thus far and work that is underway to ensure effective and fair implementation of the charter reforms approved by voters last November. Panelists:
Melanie Billings-Yun, Charter Review Commissioner, 2020-22 (Moderator)
Shoshanah Oppenheim, Charter Transition Project Manager
Marcus Mundy, Executive Director, Coalition of Communities of Color
Leah Benson, Co-Chair, Government Transition Advisory Committee (GTAC)
Alex Zielinski, Reporter, Oregon Public Broadcasting (OPB)
Click on the arrow to view the video recording of the program:
By M.O. Stevens – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=10470949
The League strongly supports the City Charter reforms that voters passed in November 2022. Now we are working hard to make sure the reforms are being carried out appropriately and well. We firmly believe these reforms will make Portland’s government and elections better.
Our new page on City Charter Reform links to resources explaining ranked choice voting and the decisions being made now about our 2025 city government. We’ll be adding more resources as these decisions are finalized. Stay tuned!
Portland’s City Council is expanding in 2025! In November 2024, we’ll elect three city councilors from each of four new Council Districts. You can help decide on the boundaries of your district.
The Independent Districting Commission has proposed three different maps for the new Council Districts. They want to hear from as many Portlanders as possible. Please comment to let them know what you think.
“Alder” Proposal
“Cedar” Proposal
“Maple” Proposal
Click here to view a presentation about these three possible district maps. Learn about how each district was designed and the pros and cons of each design. Decide which you like best. Then, attend a hearing (schedule below) or submit comments.
Weds, July 5, 6-8 PM, East Portland Community Center, 740 SE 106th
Thurs., July 6, 6-8 PM, Taborspace, 5441 SE Belmont
Sat., July 8 12-2 PM, APANO, 8188 SE Division
Sun., July 9, 1-3 PM, SW Community Center, 6820 SW 45th
Weds., July 12, 6-8 PM, Portland Building, 1120 SW 5th
Thurs., July 13, 6-8 PM, Self Enhancement Inc., 3920 N. Kerby Ave