As November 5 creeps closer, voters in Portland are prepping for a pivotal shift in their democratic process with the introduction of ranked-choice voting in this year's general election. This significant change, the first of its kind in Portland's mayoral and city council races, is not just a cosmetic tweak to the ballot forms. It is a complete overhaul of voter choice, standing as testament to Portland’s pioneering spirit in electoral reform. The Multnomah County Elections office has partnered with the City of Portland to ensure voters are well-acquainted with the new system, offering a comprehensive suite of educational materials including videos, graphics, and an informative website, all dedicated to guiding the electorate through the nuances of ranked-choice voting, as reported by Multnomah County Elections.
With ballots this year featuring a grid-style layout allowing rankings for up to six candidates, the conventional methodology of simply ticking the box for one preferred candidate has evolved to fully capture voter preference. Voters are encouraged, but not mandated, to rank candidates from one to six, with the option to still simply select their top choice if they so choose. If a voter happens to mark more than one candidate for a rank or skip a rank altogether, the helpful video by Multnomah County Elections clarifies these contingencies, instructing voters to either correct the ballot with a clear "X" over the unintended selection or request a new ballot entirely. This is part of what the Multnomah County Elections describes as a deeply thought-out plan to smoothly transition voters into the new ranked-choice reality.
Results from the new ranked-choice system will be processed through the longstanding routine, with the initial set of returns anticipated to go public at 8 p.m. on election night. However, voters should note that the only place to view accurate ranked-choice election outcomes is through the official website — a departure from previous years where results could also be checked with the Oregon Secretary of State’s Office. Multnomah County Elections will publish daily updates post-election at 6 p.m. until all votes are counted and promises that no one will have to wait excessively long to discern preliminary returns, keeping the community updated with meticulous, round-by-round tabulations.
If Portlanders haven't received their ballots yet, they're urged to reach out to Multnomah County Elections without delay. Voters can opt to have a replacement ballot mailed directly or placed on hold for pickup at designated locations, details of which are laid out in the county's comprehensive news release. Moreover, there's still time to sign up for the "Track Your Ballot" service, offering a translation in multiple languages — a service tailored to alleviate any lingering concerns about one's ballot being counted in this unprecedented election.
To further accommodate voters, extended evening and Saturday hours will be available at voter service locations, ensuring that every eligible voter has the chance to participate. As always, Multnomah County Elections is ardent about their plea: Let's Make a Plan to VOTE! The step-by-step checklist emphatically prompts voters to ensure their registrations are current, their ballots are in hand, and ultimately, their voices are heard. With the clock ticking down to election day, the emphasis on being prepared is stronger than ever.
