Demand A Better Plan.
Vote No, For A Better Yes.
We can all agree Portland is in need of change, but we can’t risk our city’s future on experimental policies. We need a proven solution that will make Portland “the city that works” once again.
Endorsed By The Oregonian.
“Portland voters should reject the idea of adopting a test case model for government…”
Endorsed By The Willamette Week.
“One of the principal criticisms of Portland’s current government is that no one is clearly in charge. This proposal would offer no greater clarity. In fact, it’s likely to increase the confusion.”
Endorsed By The Skanner.
“Abandoning one flawed system for an untested option is not the solution, and this measure is overly complex and too much a risk for added chaos.”
No More Experiments.
We Need Sensible Reform.
Portland’s current form of government is a mess, but the charter reforms in Measure 26-228 will only amplify the city’s dysfunction. We need a sensible solution that doesn’t place our city’s future in the hands of costly and untested political theory. A better plan is available than what’s on the ballot this November.
Measure 26-228 Is Flawed.
Voters Wanted Options.
72% of Portlanders wanted to vote on charter changes separately. The Commission decided not to trust voters, forcing you into a “take it or leave it” dilemma. There is now an alternative proposal - Charter Reform for a Better Portland - that the city council can refer to voters this spring..
Risky and Unproven.
Measure 26-228 would take Portland from a form of government no longer used anywhere in the United States, to a government no one has ever used. It relies on an untested, complex style of elections that will lead to more distrust in city hall. With Portland in crisis, they are simply risks we cannot afford.
Even More Dysfunction.
If Measure 26-228 is approved, Portlanders can expect further disarray and a lack of accountability. We need reform that strengthens constituent trust in our government to provide critical services the city is currently failing to deliver.
“It makes no sense for Portland to adopt this form of government, especially as City Commissioner Mingus Mapps is developing a simpler, straightforward and well-tested alternative to put before the city next year.”
— The Oregonian, October 9
There’s A Better Plan.
A sensible alternative has been proposed by Commissioner Mingus Mapps. When Portland rejects Measure 26-228 the city council can refer this more reasonable proposal to voters for consideration on the Spring 2023 ballot.
What Portland Needs.
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Seven single-member districts will ensure city councilors are directly accountable to constituents and their needs. The proposed four undefined districts with three members each will only lead to more dysfunction.
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Portland needs a city administrator to oversee bureaus, hire bureau directors, and help the mayor run the day-to-day functions of our government. Removing these responsibilities from the city council will enhance collaboration and streamline the delivery of services.
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Cities like Portland need a mayor that is empowered to lead - not a toothless executive as proposed by the charter commission. The mayor should propose budgets, supervise the city administrator, and have veto power that can be overridden by a two-thirds council majority.
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We believe that ranked choice voting should be an option, and that voters should be allowed to decide for themselves, not be forced into an “all or nothing” dilemma. The alternative proposal proposes ranked choice voting as a separate ballot measure.
What People Are Saying?
“72% of polled Portlanders don’t prefer the ballot as writen.”
— Willamette Week, August 2, 2022
“The combination of multi-member districts and single transferable vote ranked choice voting has never been tried in any community in the United States. It will move us from a form of government no major city uses anymore to one that no U.S. city has ever used.”
— Les AuCoin, US Congress, First District of Oregon 1975-1993
“As a community leader that has worked in government, I know that accountability is necessary to solve problems. The current proposal will only make our city government less accountable, and it will be even harder to hold leaders responsible for solutions.”
— Mike Lindberg, City of Portland Commissioner 1979-1997
“The ballot measure the commission has put before voters is a single, all-or-nothing option.”
— The Oregonian, October 2, 2022
Supported By Portland!
Contact us.
We need your help to make sure Portland isn’t forced into a bad decision. Help us reach every Portlander and let them know that there is an alternative plan for Portland’s future.