| Samuel Hansen | Hoodline |
OREGON – Portlanders are about to see a shift at the polls from the traditional ‘pick one’ method to a more nuanced voting system. Ranked Choice Voting (RCV) is set to debut for City of Portland and Multnomah County candidate contests – with the former implementing the system this November and the latter following suit in November 2026. Officials are moving ahead with public engagement and voter education campaigns to smooth the transition.
Ensure the new system runs like clockwork.
To say that the preparation for RCV’s implementation has been anything short of a cross-county collaboration and meticulous planning would be an understatement. Leah Benson, the Ranked Choice Voting Project Manager, detailed rigorous preparation phases, including developing updated codes and coordinating with other counties to administer these contests. These efforts, alongside a comprehensive public education plan, are purposed to ensure that come election day, the new system runs like clockwork.
Understanding the process is fundamental so the county isn’t skimping on timely and targeted voter education. They’ve launched a campaign that spans various media and directly addresses communities that have been traditionally underrepresented at the polls. According to the county news, this approach reflects best practices from other jurisdictions where RCV is the norm.