This information was reviewed by the Oregon Elections Division for compliance with ORS 260.432.
Proposed Ballot Measure to Add Independent Portland Elections Commission to the City Charter
Existing Portland Elections Commission
Currently, the Portland Elections Commission exists in City Code, which can be amended or repealed by City Council. The Commission is composed of nine volunteers and assists the Small Donor Elections Director in implementing the Small Donor Elections (SDE) program by:
- Adjusting SDE match rates and contribution limits
- Advising the SDE Director on administrative judgments and policy changes
- Submitting a report to Council that evaluates the SDE program during the previous election cycle
Currently, the City Auditor – and not the Commission – oversees the implementation of the City’s other campaign finance and elections laws.
If Proposed Ballot Measure Passes
If voters pass the proposed ballot measure an Independent Portland Elections Commission would be created in City Charter. The Charter can only be amended or repealed by Portland voters. The Commission would continue its current duties listed above and would also:
- Be able to implement any other law or program related to elections or campaign finance, if delegated by City Council or the Auditor to the Commission
- Annually notify the Mayor and City Council of the funding required to ensure the solvency of the SDE program
If Proposed Ballot Measure Does Not Pass
The Commission would continue to exist in City Code. City Code can be amended or repealed by City Council.
How Much Would the Measure Cost if Passed?
The City Budget Office determined the measure has no direct financial impact.
What is the Small Donor Elections program?
The Small Donor Elections (SDE) program provides a 9-to-1 match on the first $20 Portlanders donate to participating candidates for city elected offices. It is designed to enable candidates running for city office to raise enough money to run a competitive campaign from small donations from Portlanders and matching funds alone. What is the Small Donor Elections program?
Proposed Ballot Measure to Change Weatherization Provision in the City Charter
If passed by voters, what would the proposed measure do?
The proposed measure would remove the provision in the City charter that prevents Portland City Council from mandating weatherization of homes and buildings built in the City of Portland prior to September 1, 1979. If passed, the measure would allow the City to mandate weatherization of homes and buildings without a vote of the people.
Background on weatherization prohibition in the Charter
The Citywide vote requirement for mandatory building weatherization was added in the Charter in 1980 through an initiative petition. It was enacted to prevent the City from being able to require weatherization upgrades.
What happens if the proposed measure does not pass?
If the measure does not pass, the charter would not be changed. The City would continue to be prohibited from unilaterally mandating weatherization of pre-September 1979 homes and buildings. Any such weatherization mandate would continue to be subject to a vote of the people.
What is building weatherization?
Weatherization refers to air sealing and adding insulation to upgrade the energy efficiency of a building. Weatherization is more commonly called energy efficiency.
If passed, how long would it take to implement the proposed ballot measure?
If passed the measure would allow Portland City Council to mandate weatherization of pre-1979 homes and buildings. Apart from changing a provision in the City Charter, the measure would essentially take no time to implement.
If the proposed measure passes, how much would this cost?
There is no cost in implementing the proposed measure. If the proposed measure does not pass, there would be no cost incurred.
What is the current charter language?
Section 1-108 states, “Except for the provisions of the Building Code of the City of Portland in effect on September 1, 1979, the Council of the City of Portland shall not pass or enforce any ordinance, resolution, law or program mandating weatherization for any building or structure built in the City of Portland prior to September 1, 1979, unless such ordinance, resolution, law or program is referred to the citizens of Portland for a vote.”