Learn About Portland’s Ranked-Choice Voting!
Portland voters will have more power to choose this November!
In 2022, Portland voters passed bold changes to our city government, including a simple but powerful change to the way we vote for the city's elected leaders. In the upcoming November 5th election, Portlanders will use ranked-choice voting to elect a new mayor, auditor and three councilors to represent your district.
Ranked-choice voting gives Portland voters the option to rank their choices for the elected leaders who will best represent us. Even if your 1st choice doesn’t get enough votes to win, your vote will still have an impact because your 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, and even 6th choices can help decide the outcome of a local election.
How does ranked-choice voting work?
Instead of choosing just one candidate, Portland voters will be able to rank up to six candidates in order of who we feel will best represent our community.
Your ballot will include a grid that lists the names of all candidates, with columns labeled Rank 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6.
You'll pick your favorite candidate like you always have, but instead of choosing just one, you can rank up to six candidates in order of your preference. Think of your 2nd, 3rd, etc., choices as backups.
How to use your ranked-choice ballot
Ranking the maximum of six choices is the best way to use the full power of your vote, but it’s OK to choose fewer than six if you prefer.
Only give each candidate one ranking and only rank candidates you support and would feel comfortable electing. Is there a candidate on the ballot you don't want to see in office? Don't rank them.
How does ranked-choice voting benefit voters?
Ranked-choice voting gives Portland voters the option to rank their choices for the elected leaders who will best represent us. Even if your 1st choice doesn’t get enough votes to win, your vote will still have an impact because your 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, and even 6th choices can help decide the outcome of a local election.
Ranked-choice voting means every candidate needs support from as many voters as possible. Even if they're not our 1st choice, they still want to be one of our backup choices - Ranked-choice voting gives candidates a reason to listen to all voters and try to earn our support. They can't ignore communities that don't already support them or focus only on the ones that do.
Ranked-choice voting means you can feel good about voting for who you really want to represent you instead of the candidate you think is most likely to win.
Even if you’re unsure about the benefits of ranked-choice voting, it’s important to know how it works so you use your ballot correctly.
Information from City of Portland. Learn more and try a practice ballot at https://www.portland.gov/vote/ranked-choice-voting or call 311 for more information.
