Portlanders, it's time to cast your votes, but not for a political office—this time it's for something a whole lot chillier. The City Elections Office and Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) are asking the public to get involved in naming the city's next five snowplows. Out of more than 3,300 suggestions sent in from Dec. 23, 2025, to Jan. 5, the top 20 most proposed names are up for a ranked-choice vote, as reported by the City of Portland. The city's residents can now make their preferences known by heading to the online ballot and ranking their six top picks before the deadline on Sunday, Jan. 23, at 5 p.m.
Not only is this contest about branding municipal vehicles with creative monikers, but it’s also an opportunity to practice the ranked-choice voting system, first used in Portland for the mayoral and city council elections in 2024. In this system, rather than picking just one option, voters are encouraged to rank multiple choices in order of their preference. This voting method promises to ensure a more democratic and representative selection, as per the PBOT and City Elections Office's announcement.
To participate, residents simply need to visit the contest's website, where they can find the complete rules and timeline. As winter approaches, PBOT also wants to ensure Portlanders are prepared for severe weather conditions. They recommend creating an emergency plan, assembling a vehicle emergency bag, preparing a home and business emergency kit, and stocking up on winter supplies. For real-time updates, they encourage signing up for PBOT alerts and following @PBOTInfo on social media platforms.
