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Frequently asked questions and answers about Ranked Choice Voting in Portland
How many candidates can I rank on my ballot?
Ballots will have space for voters to rank up to six candidates, including any write-in candidate(s).
What will my ranked-choice voting ballot look like?
Before the election, you can find sample ballots on Multnomah County's website. By viewing the ballot for your specific precinct, you can determine exactly what your ballot will look like when it arrives in your mail.
Is there a limit to the number of candidates appearing on the ballot?
No. There is no limit to the number of qualifying candidates appearing on the ballot under each position. However, voters will be limited to ranking up to six total candidates, including any write-in candidate(s). For example, if 10 candidates are listed for a position, a voter would be able to choose their top six candidates and rank those candidates by preference. The remaining four candidates would be unable to be ranked by the voter.
What happens if I skipped one or more rankings on my ballot?
When filling out your ballot, if you skip any ranking, your next highest ranking will be elevated to take its place in the counting process. In this example, if you rank Candidate A as your first choice, Candidate C as your third choice, Candidate B as your sixth choice, and then skip all other rankings, Candidate C will be counted as your second choice and Candidate B will be counted as your third choice.
Here's an example of what that might look like:
What happens if I rank multiple candidates in a single ranking?
If you choose multiple candidates in the same ranking—for example, rank two candidates as your first choice—this is called an overvote. Your overvote is ignored and your next highest ranking is elevated to take the place of the overvote. In this example, if you rank Candidates A, B, G and H all as your first choice, the votes for candidates A, B, G and H become invalid and Candidate C is elevated to your first choice.
Here's an example of what that might look like:
What happens if I rank the same candidate in multiple rankings?
If you rank a single candidate multiple times, the highest ranking is accepted and each lower ranking for the same candidate is ignored as if you had skipped that ranking. In this example, if you rank Candidate A as your first, second, and third choices, and then rank Candidate F as your fourth choice, Candidate F is elevated to the position of your second choice.
Here's an example of what that might look like:
Where can I learn how to register to vote, update my voter registration, and where to return my ballot after voting?
Visit our Voter Resources page to learn about voter registration, accessibility resources, and who to contact if you have additional questions about voting.
Here are some helpful links:
- Multnomah County Elections Division
- Washington County Elections Division
- Clackamas County Elections Division
- Register to vote
- Update your address
- Find a ballot drop off site
When will we know the results of the election?
Multnomah County will serve as the central tabulator and will report results for City candidate contests. The County will begin to release unofficial results after 8pm on election night and provide regular updates in the days following as additional ballots are tallied.
With ranked choice voting, the eventual winners after final round-by-round tabulation may not be the candidates who receive the most 1st choice rankings. As with all elections, results are unofficial until certified. In 2026, certification by the County will happen by November 30. Candidates can find all unofficial results before certification on Multnomah County's website.
Still Have Questions?
If you have a question and could not find the answer on our website, please reach out to elections@portlandoregon.gov. Someone on the Elections team will get back to you. We also encourage you to reach out to your county's election office for more information.
You can also call 311 with questions. 311 is a free resource that can help voters with many questions, or direct voters to the right resources.
View more questions and answers regarding elections or Portland's form of government:
Frequently Asked Questions: Portland City Elections
Frequently Asked Questions: Districts
Frequently Asked Questions: Form of Government
Frequently Asked Questions: Recent Changes to Portland Election Code