Frequently Asked Questions
Does Oregon have ranked choice voting?
What are the benefits of ranked choice voting?
How much does it cost to implement ranked choice voting in Oregon?
What changes does HB 2004 make to Oregon’s voting system?
Is ranked choice voting constitutional?
Who supports ranked choice voting and HB 2004?
Is ranked choice voting secure, accurate, and accessible?
Does Oregon have ranked choice voting?
Yes! Benton County and the City of Corvallis use ranked choice voting for local elections. In the 2022 election, over 95% of Corvallis voters ranked multiple candidates in the three-way mayoral race.
Recently, voters overwhelmingly passed ranked choice voting for the City of Portland and Multnomah County, by 58% and 69%, respectively. Portland voters will start using ranked choice voting in 2024 and Multnomah County in 2026.
And a growing coalition of organizations is working together to bring ranked choice voting statewide! HB 2004, a 2023 Legislative Session bill, would establish ranked choice voting for statewide and federal races in Oregon and provide a local framework for cities and counties to easily improve their elections.
Back to Top
What are the benefits of ranked choice voting?
Ranked choice voting is a simple improvement to our elections, giving voters more power and more meaningful choices. With ranked choice voting, Oregonians will see:
- More reflective representation. Ranked choice voting allows candidates to run for office without fear of splitting the vote, leading to better representation and elected bodies that reflect the true will of voters.
- More meaningful choices. By allowing voters to rank candidates, our vote becomes more meaningful, has a greater impact, and, ultimately, leads to outcomes we are more satisfied with.
- A proven improvement to our elections. Used or adopted in over 60 jurisdictions across the US, including four in our own state, ranked choice voting will lead to more reflective elected bodies for Oregonians from every community.
How much does it cost to implement ranked choice voting in Oregon?
Transitioning to ranked choice voting often incurs modest costs, mostly around updating voting equipment and voter education. Oregon is already one step ahead — in the 2021 Regular Legislative Session, SB 5538 allocated $2 million for grants to counties to modernize county elections’ offices equipment and technology. This included funds for updating voting machines and purchasing new processing equipment.
Additionally, ranked choice voting will eliminate the need for runoffs in non-partisan elections — saving time and money on taxpayer-funded elections.
What changes does HB 2004 make to Oregon’s voting system?
HB 2004 will establish ranked choice voting for state and federal elections in Oregon, giving voters the option to rank candidates in order of preference on their ballot: first choice, second choice, third choice, and so forth. Voters can rank as many or as few candidates as their ballot will allow and can choose to just rank one candidate, if they prefer.
HB 2004 will provide county clerks with a robust framework of resources for implementation, including standardized ranked choice voting software for local jurisdictions. This will help ensure that ranked choice voting implementation is secure, fair, and consistent across the state.
Is ranked choice voting constitutional?
Yes. Ranked choice voting was approved by Oregon voters statewide—over 100 years ago. By a vote of the people, ranked choice voting has been allowed under the Oregon Constitution since 1908—when it was known as preference voting—and was established as Article II, §16. This means that Oregon jurisdictions can adopt ranked choice voting for their local elections.
For local jurisdictions looking to adopt ranked choice voting, HB 2004 helps ensure standardized implementation, ensuring that local election officials don’t have to reinvent the wheel. HB 2004 also paves the way for effective, multilingual, culturally responsive voter education resources, so all voters in communities across the state understand and are comfortable with ranked choice voting.
Who supports ranked choice voting and HB 2004?
A growing coalition of community-based organizations and community members support HB 2004 including the Coalition of Communities of Color, League of Women Voters of Oregon, Oregon AFSCME Local 75, APANO, and the Sightline Institute. For a full list of our coalition members and endorsements, check out our About Us page.
Is ranked choice voting secure, accurate, and accessible?
Yes! HB 2004 will establish standardized resources and guidance for elections officials across the state, ensuring that any local jurisdiction that adopts ranked choice voting can do so efficiently while keeping the election process secure.
