2025-138

TO THE COUNCIL: 

As Mayor, I request Council confirmation of the following appointments to the Portland Elections Commission.

The Portland Elections Commission is a nine-member volunteer commission which implements the Small Donor Elections program, and evaluates its progress toward strengthening our local democracy and, by doing so, increasing Portlanders’ trust in both their democracy and their government. 

According to the Charter (Chapter 3, Article 4), the Portland Elections Commission first recommends people for appointment, the Mayor appoints, and Council confirms. At their March 5 meeting, these four individuals were unanimously recommended by the Portland Elections Commission.  

The Charter requires members of the Portland Elections Commission to collectively reflect the diversity of Portland. In combination with the other five members, these four individuals bring diversity across several important measures – as well as valuable expertise, subject matter knowledge, and lived experience – to the Portland Elections Commission. 

I recommend four candidates for appointment to positions on the Portland Elections Commission for the four-year terms noted below:

Cristina Nieves 

Bio:

Cristina Nieves has dedicated her career to ensuring equitable access to government and democratic processes. While working in the Office of Commissioner Amanda Fritz, she helped craft the Small Donor Elections Code and supported its initial implementation, gaining firsthand insight into the program’s intentions, values, and challenges. 

With a background in Political Science, and Conflict Resolution, Cristina understands the importance of balancing different perspectives while ensuring transparency in election policies.

In her free time, Cristina enjoys spending time in Portland’s parks and attending community art shows, musicals, or plays.

Statement of Interest:

I am seeking reappointment to the Portland Elections Commission because I believe in the power of transparent, accessible, and representative elections. Over the past four years, I have been honored to support Portland’s public campaign finance program, advocating for equity and fairness in our democratic process. As Portland operates under a new form of government, I am particularly invested in ensuring that our election policies—especially the Small Donor Elections program—work to support the new structure of government. The changes to Portland’s government are a significant step toward more representative leadership, and I want to continue my work ensuring that campaign finance reform and election oversight reinforce this vision by increasing access to participation for all communities.

Pyae Sone Aung

Bio:

I am a dedicated advocate for refugee communities. Originally from Myanmar, I resettled in the United States in 2018 after enduring five years in the Manus Island refugee camp. Drawing from my background in law, business management, and computer studies, I have been instrumental in assisting refugees and immigrants as they adapt to new environments. I serve as the Oregon Associate Delegate for Refugee Congress and am the founder of Colorful Myanmar, an organization that fosters cultural pride and community cohesion among Burmese immigrants. 

Statement of Interest:

I am honored to express my interest in serving as a Portland Elections Commissioner, overseeing the Small Donors Program and elections in Portland. With a strong background in community engagement, advocacy, and public engagement, I am deeply committed to promoting fair, transparent, and inclusive electoral processes that empower all voices in our democracy. My background in law, business management, and data analysis equips me to uphold the integrity of the Small Donors Program, ensuring equitable access to political participation. Appointed as a Portland Elections Commissioner, I will bring a unique perspective to the oversight of the city's Small Donor Elections program, aiming to enhance the inclusivity and representation of Portland's electoral processes. I look forward to contributing to a more representative and trustworthy democratic process for all Portlanders.

Adam Briggs 

Bio:

Adam brings over twenty years of experience working in politics to the Portland Elections Commission, with over a decade here in Portland. This includes direct work with candidate based campaigns for Portland City Council that have utilized the Small Donor Election program, and issue based campaigns including Oregon United for Marriage and Renew Oregon. He has also advocated for candidates on behalf of political advocacy groups including NARAL Pro Choice Oregon. Adam’s background includes, crafting technology-based targeting of campaign messaging, recruitment and development of campaign staff and volunteers, and data collection and tracking. 

Statement of interest:

Having worked directly with publicly financed campaigns from the start of Small Donor Elections, I have noticed a substantial decrease in the “pay to play” mentality that has been a perennial barrier to entry for candidates from diverse backgrounds, and have been duly impressed by the adjustments to the program that have been made since its initial rollout to even further break down those barriers. I believe that my experience working with campaigns that have directly benefited from the Small Donor Elections program’s mission, along with the various hurdles campaigns have faced before it was introduced, will add a great deal to continuing its growth into a successful program and a model for cities across the country. 

James Ofsink 

Bio:

James has been engaged in Portland’s democracy-enhancement community for over 15 years, serving in volunteer leadership roles on the boards of the League of Women Voters of Portland and Portland Forward, as well as with City Club of Portland and Hack Oregon. He has worked on multiple campaigns, including as Treasurer for a Small Donor Elections qualifying campaign. From 2016 to 2023, James represented the residents of Multnomah County on the Tax Supervising and Conservation Commission, an independent body that review and provides citizen budgetary oversight of the 43 governments with a majority of taxpayers in Multnomah County. James served as a Multnomah County Public Financing Implementation Advisory Committee Member from late 2024 through April 2025 where he helped produce recommendations for the county to begin a public financing program. Professionally, he works in information technology at Oregon Health & Science University.

Statement of interest:

I have seen firsthand the transformative effects that small donor matching can have on our city's democracy, and I am excited for the opportunity to lend my effort and expertise to enhancing Portland's program. My interest in serving is to continue the work of the Portland Elections Commission adapting and growing the program while guarding against that which would undermine its efficacy.

Together these four appointees and the five current members will provide the Portland Elections Commission with expertise and lived experiences that reflect the diversity of Portland and will guide their stewardship of the Small Donor Elections program. 

With these appointments, no vacant positions will remain on the Portland Elections Commission.

I recommend that Cristina Nieves, Paye Sone Aung, Adam Briggs, and James Ofsink be appointed to the Portland Elections Commission for terms dated May 1, 2025 through April 30, 2029.