Multnomah County board approves first reading to add ranked-choice voting to county code

The Multnomah County Board of Commissioners voted to approve the first reading of an ordinance to amend County Code Chapter 5 to implement ranked‑choice voting (RCV) in county candidate contests. The motion to approve the ordinance’s first reading was moved by Commissioner Jones Dixon and seconded by Commissioner Brim Edwards. The board approved the first reading and scheduled a second reading for July 24, 2025.

County elections officials told the board that voters approved a charter amendment in November 2022 requiring RCV for county contests no later than the 2026 general election and that the Elections Division successfully administered Portland’s first RCV contest in November 2024. Tim Scott, Multnomah County Director of Elections, and Leah Benson, ranked‑choice voting project manager, said the ordinance would define the tabulation process, voter intent guidelines, and other administrative details needed to run RCV for county offices.

The proposed ordinance specifies the use of single‑winner instant runoff voting (50% plus one threshold) and aligns several elements with Portland’s RCV code: certification of write‑in candidates, allowing up to six ranked choices on ballots, and automatic voter‑intent rules for skipped or repeated rankings and overvotes. Elections staff also proposed two administrative additions: a minimum of two filed candidates for RCV to apply and the use of batch elimination during tabulation to speed reporting without changing election outcomes.

Board members acknowledged the Elections Division’s work administering Portland’s RCV rollout and emphasized the need for voter education in parts of Multnomah County outside Portland. Commissioners asked about write‑in certification timing, voter education for contests with fewer candidates, and how ballot designs will be consistent between city and county contests. Elections staff said certified write‑in candidates would file at least seven days before the election and that voter‑education materials will be expanded to address common voter questions (for example, that voters are not required to fill all six ranks).

The record contains public testimony supportive of RCV and referencing national examples. The ordinance’s first reading passed on a recorded roll call. The board directed staff to continue planning voter education, refine ballot processing and reporting procedures, and return for the second reading on July 24, 2025.