Portland Is Changing! Charter Implementation Successes and Challenges

A recorded Panel Discussion

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:

Listen to the podcast of this program by clicking here.

The video is being shown on cable TV at the times listed below.

LWV Info on Charter Reforms

By M.O. Stevens – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=10470949

The League is working hard to make sure the charter reforms that voters passed in November 2022 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!

Why We Supported Charter Reform

The League’s top priorities are good government and fair elections! Measure 26-228 on Charter Reform will promote BOTH better government and fairer elections for Portland.

The League of Women Voters of Portland is one of 50 civic organizations that supported the Charter Reform ballot measure. In-depth two-year studies by the Portland League, the LWV of Oregon, and Leagues in other states persuaded us that the proposed changes will substantially improve Portland’s government structure and the way we elect our city officials.

TOP-TEN REASONS For Supporting Charter Reform (Click here to learn more about each one)

1. The reforms create a separation of powers. The powers of the Councilors and Mayor are balanced.
2. Portland’s City Council will be more effective, responsive and representative.
3. Management by a professional City Administrator, supervised by the Mayor, will improve operations of city services and bureaus.
4. Voters will have more choices and more power to elect government officials who represent them.
5. Ranked Choice Voting is an easy, proven way to vote. It’s used in other countries and increasingly in the U.S.
6. By electing three city councilors from four geographic districts, we can have both geographic and proportional representation.
7. An Independent District Commission will draw district boundaries.
8. An Independent Salary Commission will set salaries for elected officials.
9. The benefits more than justify the costs.
10. These proposals were developed by a diligent, transparent Charter Review Commission.

See through the “confusion”smokescreen. Click here for the real story.

Read our explanation about How Ranked Choice Voting Works.

LWVPDX is in good company. Click here to learn about other Measure 26-228 supporters

Watch the Video on Charter Reform

Click the arrow below to watch the video.

This program features members of the Portland Charter Commission. They explain how the charter reform measure would change Portland’s government and elections, if voters pass it in November.

To listen to the podcast of this program, click here.

Listen to LWVPDX PODCASTS on your favorite platform.

You can listen to our shows on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, or Spotify, or find them in many other directories.

Learn about Charter Reform

The Charter Reform Ballot Measure will be on Portland Voters’ Ballots Nov. 8! LWV of Portland presented a Live Zoom Webinar about the Measure in September

Watch the video from this event about how and why the Portland Charter Commission decided to recommend major reforms for Portland’s government structure and our process for electing city officials. Our panelists explained the Charter Commission’s recommended changes. Attendees were able to ask questions via the Chat feature on Zoom.

PANELISTS

- Julia Meier, the Charter Commission Project Manager
- Charter Commissioner Candace Avalos
- Charter Commissioner Becca Uherbelau
- Charter Commissioner Melanie Billings-Yun

Video & Podcast Available by Sept. 10

The video is posted on our YouTube Channel. A link is in the post at the top of this webpage.

Major Reforms Were Discussed

- A City Administrator, supervised by the Mayor, would manage daily operations, including hiring, firing, and supervising bureau directors.
- The City Council would grow from five to twelve members, with three Councilors elected to represent each of four geographic districts.
- The Council would make laws, but no longer supervise bureaus. The Mayor may introduce laws and vote to break ties.
- City elections would use a “ranked choice voting” process that allows voters to rank candidates in order of preference.

Thanks to our media partner and sponsor

MetroEast Community Media records Portland League programs for rebroadcast and online streaming. Funding was provided by the Carol & Velma Saling Foundation and the Wyss Foundation.