Last week, the Independent District Commission (IDC) revealed their selection of the revised Alder Map as the defining blueprint for Portland’s four new geographic voting districts. This move paves the way for the election of city councilors, scheduled to commence in November 2024. The final choice followed a rigorous review process that included public input and deliberations between the Alder and Maple maps.
The IDC’s decision in favor of the Alder map underscores its potential to foster collaboration and community engagement, setting the stage for Portland’s future. The commission’s dedication to prioritize the interests of Portland residents throughout this historic process was commended by City of Portland Chief Administrative Officer Mike Jordan.
“Congratulations to the entire commission for prioritizing Portlanders in this historic process,” said Jordan. “In the coming weeks, the City of Portland Elections Office will work with our county partners to take the immediate next steps for the proper administration of district-based elections for City Council elections, and in the future, candidate and voter education.”
The criteria and revisions that guided the selection process were meticulously outlined. The new charter language, ratified by voters in November 2022, mandated the IDC to conduct at least two public hearings within each proposed district before finalizing a district plan. The IDC adhered to a set of criteria consistent with the Portland Charter, State, and Federal law, ensuring contiguity, compactness, preservation of communities of common interest, transportation linkages, and equitable population distribution.
The Alder map emerged from comprehensive data analysis conducted by GIS consultants and valuable insights from Portland’s residents. The IDC meticulously considered community-defined factors such as geographic proximity, neighborhood boundaries, socio-economic indicators, cultural and historical significance, inclusivity, and service accessibility.
In a culmination of two months of public input assessment and refinement, the IDC’s ultimate choice, the Alder map, was unveiled. Notably, adjustments were made based on public comments to specific areas, such as the Sunderland neighborhood, the Roseway-Cully neighborhood boundary, and others, detailed in Table 1.
The IDC is scheduled to formally approve the district plan on Monday, August 21 at 6 p.m. This comprehensive plan encompasses the map itself, legal district descriptions, and district numbers.
For further details and resources, visit the Elections Office website at www.portland.gov/elections. For inquiries, contact [email protected] or call (503) 865-6503. The office is located at City Hall, 1221 SW 4th Avenue, Room 130, Portland, OR 97204.
