Editorial endorsement November 2022: Vote ‘no’ on mega-measure to overhaul Portland city government

Portland doesn’t need a unique system. We need a system that we know will work. Unfortunately, the proposal engineered by the charter commission introduces deeply flawed provisions that threaten to make city government even more dysfunctional and less accountable. The model is also built on highly optimistic assumptions that don’t match reality. It ignores the huge success of public campaign financing in fostering the diverse representation this new system purports to create. And parts of the proposal itself are so confusing that supporters themselves have repeatedly misstated what is required, claiming – incorrectly – that any candidate who wins a seat on City Council must receive a minimum of 25%-plus one of votes in their district. That’s not the case, as they later conceded in an email.

Portland’s government absolutely needs change from our current system. But voters shouldn’t be pressured into adopting something even worse.