Now Closed: Elections Division’s Feedback Survey
The Elections Division’s feedback survey closed on September 15th. Thank you to everyone who provided input. Although the survey is closed, the proposed changes remain available for review below.
The Elections Division is evaluating survey responses prior to proposing changes to candidate filing rules. The rule changes are expected to be proposed later this year. There will be additional opportunities to provide feedback to the Division in the public comment process.
The Elections Division can be contacted anytime at elections@portlandoregon.gov.
Election Feedback Survey (Summer 2025)
In the 2024 General Election, Portlanders elected the mayor, auditor, and city councilors using ranked-choice voting for the first time. Following the election, the City Elections Division analyzed election data from a variety of sources including:
- Post election polling
- Focus Groups
- Multnomah County's Ballot Data Report
- League of Women Voters of Portland City Council Survey
Addressing the High Number of Candidates
Findings from post-election data demonstrated that the high number of candidates on the ballot caused several issues including:
- Voters felt overwhelmed
- Some voters skipped contests due to feeling uninformed on the high number of candidates
- The election results were more difficult to read and analyze for some
- Candidates struggled to get resources
- Candidates had a hard time reaching voters with crowded forums and events
Policy Options
Current filing fees are $75 for City Council and $100 for Mayor/Auditor. Portland’s current policy sets candidate filing fees on the lower end in comparison to other major cities in the United States. See the chart below for a comparison to some similarly sized cities:
| City | # of Registered Voters | Candidate Filing Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Portland | 467,917 | $75 for City Council, $100 for Mayor/Auditor |
| Seattle | 563,019 | $1,374 (Tied to % of salary) |
| San Francisco | 529,834 | $500 for City Officials, $2,000 or 2% of salary for Mayor |
| Oklahoma City | 292,343 | $200 |
| Minneapolis | 254,871 | $250 for City Council, $500 for Mayor |
Note: Minneapolis increased their filing fee following their first ranked-choice election to address challenges associated with a high number of candidates.
As part of an effort to reduce the high number of non-serious candidates on Portland City ballots, the Elections Division is planning to increase this filing fee. For candidates who qualify due to low income, a fee waiver is available. Separately, candidates can opt for a petition process (collecting signatures) instead of paying the fee. Learn more about both of these options by checking out our Run for City Office page.
We are proposing three policy options that we believe can help address this issue. The increases are in the low, moderate, and high range and are each outlined in more detail below. This policy must balance voter confusion, ballot accessibility, and equity in the process. We want your input to get it right.
| Filing Fee Policy Option | Amount Increase for City Council | Proposed Filing Fee for City Council | Amount increase for Mayor/Auditor | Proposed Filing Fee for Mayor/Auditor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minimal fee increase | +$25 | $100 | +$50 | $150 |
| Moderate fee increase | +$175 | $250 | +$400 | $500 |
High fee Increase (tied to a % of salary) | +$1,257 | $1,332/1% of salary | +$1,655 | $1,755/1% of salary |
You can view the City's current administrative rule on candidate filing at the following website: ARA 16.01 - Election of Candidates
Questions?
Do you have general questions about ranked-choice voting, your district, or anything election related? Let us know! Send in questions to the Election Division's email below.
Email the City Elections Division