A list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) regarding general City government questions. While this page includes FAQs, they are not legal advice. For exact language and legal requirements, view Portland City Code and City Charter.
What is my City Council District?
The Portland City Council is made up of four separate districts, each roughly equal in population. You can determine which district you reside in and see the boundaries for all districts on the Elections Office website.
You can read more about the City's Government Structure on the Council Clerk's website. Keep in mind as the City transitions to a new form of government in 2025, some of this information will become out of date. You can read about the upcoming changes more directly at the City's transition website.
If you have a question or concern related to a particular City bureau, you may wish to contact the commissioner in charge of that particular agency. View the Elected Officials Portfolios and Contact Information the Council Clerk's site.
How are the Mayor, Commissioners, and Auditor elected in the City of Portland?
The Mayor and Auditor are elected citywide, while three City Councilors are elected from each district, and all offices are nonpartisan. Offices normally alternate on the ballot, and each have four-year terms.
Candidates are elected using ranked-choice voting at the General Election in November of each even-numbered year. For a more detailed description of ranked-choice voting in Portland check out the ranked-choice voting FAQ or the Elections Office page on ranked choice voting.
How many elected offices does Portland have?
The City of Portland has fourteen elected offices:
- The Mayor
- Councilors from District No. 1 (three seats)
- Councilors from District No. 2 (three seats)
- Councilors from District No. 3 (three seats)
- Councilors from District No. 4 (three seats)
- The City Auditor
The office of the Mayor, Councilors from District No. 1, and No. 2 appear on the ballot and are elected during presidential elections. The Auditor, Councilors from District No. 3, and No. 4 are elected and appear on the ballot during mid-term elections.
At the 2024 General Election only, all City elected officials will be on the ballot. To return to a standard four-year term after this, the Auditor and Councilors from Districts No. 3 and 4 will again be on the ballot in 2026 after only a two-year term.
Have additional questions? Please contact the City Elections Office at elections@portlandoregon.gov or 503-865-6503.