Portland voters will make history on Nov. 5, 2024, as they use ranked-choice voting for the first time in city elections. This new voting method will apply to the races for mayor, city council, and auditor, introducing a significant change in how ballots are marked and counted.
Ranked-choice voting allows voters to rank candidates in order of preference rather than selecting just one. Portland voters can rank up to six candidates. If a voter’s top choice doesn’t receive enough votes and is eliminated, their vote is transferred to their next choice. This process continues until one candidate achieves a majority. To help voters adjust to this system, Multnomah County Elections, in partnership with the City of Portland, has released educational materials, including videos, graphics, and a detailed website explaining the basics of ranked-choice voting. These resources guide voters through the steps of marking their ballots and understanding the results.
While ballots will look different this year, the familiar practice of filling in ovals remains the same. Voters will now see a grid-style format where they can rank candidates in order of preference, from their top choice at “Rank 1” to their sixth choice at “Rank 6.” There is no requirement to rank all six; voters may choose to rank as few or as many candidates as they wish, even just one. Elections officials have also provided instructions on what to do if voters skip a rank or accidentally mark more than one candidate for the same rank. Errors can be corrected by marking an “X” over the incorrect oval, or voters can request a replacement ballot from Multnomah County Elections.
As with past elections, results will start coming in on Election Night, with the first preliminary returns expected at 8 p.m. These early results will include the ranked-choice voting contests, but full tabulation will continue in the days following the election as more ballots are processed. Multnomah County Elections will post daily updates, providing complete round-by-round results for all ballots received up to that point. This will ensure that voters can follow the progress of the races closely, though final results may not be clear until later in the week, with official certification scheduled for Dec. 2.
Unlike previous elections, ranked-choice voting results for Portland races will only be available through Multnomah County’s website, multnomahvotes.gov. The Oregon Secretary of State’s website will not display these results. To familiarize voters with how ranked-choice results will be reported, a sample results page has been made available online, showing the various reporting formats and allowing voters to explore different levels of detail.
If you haven’t yet received your ballot for the Nov. 5 election, it’s important to contact Multnomah County Elections immediately. Voters can call 503.988.VOTE or use the convenient “Order Ahead Replacement Ballot Service” online. This service lets voters request a replacement ballot by mail or pick one up in person at one of two voter service locations: the Duniway-Lovejoy Elections Building in Southeast Portland or the Voting Center Express in Gresham. The “Track Your Ballot” service, available in multiple languages, can also help voters monitor their ballots from mailing to acceptance. Voters who
sign up will receive notifications about when their ballot has been mailed, received, and counted. They’ll even get a virtual “I Voted” sticker to share on social media.
To make the process as smooth as possible, Multnomah County is offering extended hours at both of its voter service locations leading up to Election Day. On Nov. 5, both locations will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. For those in Southeast Portland, limited street parking is available, but public transportation options, including TriMet bus routes, are nearby. In Gresham, voters can take advantage of free parking and convenient access to the MAX line.
Voters have two options for returning their ballots: by mail or by using one of 30 Official Ballot Drop Sites. Ballots returned by mail must be postmarked by 8 p.m. on Election Day and arrive within seven days to be counted. Those choosing to use a drop site can find locations at multco.us/dropsites or at one of several Multnomah County Library branches. Drop boxes are monitored, and ballots are collected regularly, ensuring that every vote is secured.
As Election Day approaches, Multnomah County Elections encourages all voters to make a plan to vote early, if possible, and ensure their ballot is returned on time. Ranked-choice voting marks a major change for Portland, but with proper preparation, voters can confidently navigate this new system and have their voices heard in the 2024 election.
