October 2024

Monthly newsletter from the City of Portland Charter Transition Project

City Administrator Jordan reflects on transition progress, final countdown to January

‘The skies look sunny, we’re making good time and our destination is clear.’

If you’ve taken a road trip or run a race, you know the halfway mark simultaneously feels like an accomplishment – and a reminder of how far you still have to go. This paradox holds true as we pass the midway point of the City’s six-month effort to prepare the organization for our new governance structure.  

Get ready to rank your vote 

We’re 25 days from election day! Here are some helpful reminders from Multnomah County, including a sneak peek to what you can expect your ballot packet to look like, and one final opportunity to join us for a virtual town hall on ranked-choice voting. 

Get excited! Ballots will begin to go out on Wednesday, Oct. 16. Thanks to Multnomah County, we have a sneak peek to what you can expect in your ballot packet. Some things will be different this year.

Recruitment firm shares a proposed hiring process for Portland’s next city administrator

One of the final deliverables of the transition is to provide a proposed recruitment plan informed by community expectations to prepare the new mayor for the new form of government.

On Tuesday, Oct. 8, Motus Recruiting provided the Government Transition Advisory Committee an update on their work to develop a proposed job description and recruitment plan for Portland’s next city administrator. When final, the proposal will be presented to the new mayor as they select Portland’s next city administrator.

Our last voter education town hall is on Saturday, Oct. 19 at 1 p.m.

Join the City of Portland's voter education team for a presentation on ranked-choice voting! 

The virtual presentation is about 20 minutes long. We will focus on how to mark your ballot, how a winner is determined, and where to learn more information. We will also host a mock election where you can practice ranking your vote and filling out a ballot. We will have about 20 minutes for live question and answer. 

Register here, so that we can send you the Zoom link.

Our other voter education outreach events:

• Wednesday, Oct. 16 at 5:30 p.m.: Portland Vota 2024 (Spanish)
• Saturday, Oct. 19 at 8 p.m.: Voter Education Tabling with Z100 at ScaregroundsPDX
• Monday, Oct. 21 at 5:30 p.m.: Portland Vota 2024 (Spanish)
• Friday, Nov. 1 at 7 p.m.: Tabling at Portland Trail Blazers

In the news

Watch KGW's Pat Dooris recent interview with Charter Transition Project Manager Shoshanah Oppenheim explain the differences between the mayor and council roles. 

  KGW: Yes, some Portland councilors will be elected to shorter terms 

About the City of Portland Charter Transition Project

In November 2022, Portland voters approved Ballot Measure 26-228 that directs the City of Portland to implement these three connected changes by Jan. 1, 2025:

• Allow voters to rank candidates in order of preference, using ranked-choice voting.
• Establish four geographic districts, with three city council members elected to represent each district – expanding city council to a total of 12 members.
• Establish a city council that focuses on setting policy and engaging with community, transitioning day-to-day oversight of bureaus to a mayor elected citywide and a professional city administrator.

Traducción e Interpretación  |  Biên Dịch và Thông Dịch  |  अनुवादन तथा व्याख्या
口笔译服务  |  Устный и письменный перевод  |  Turjumaad iyo Fasiraad
Письмовий і усний переклад  |  Traducere și interpretariat  |   Chiaku me
Awewen Kapas

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