As the November election approaches, advocates for expanding ranked-choice voting are urging people to vote yes on Oregon Measure 117.
If approved, the statewide measure would give voters the option to rank candidates in order of preference for elections to federal and state offices. This includes the president, members of Congress, the governor, the secretary of state and the attorney general.
The ballot measure would not affect state legislative elections, which would continue to use the one-person-one-vote method.
Three local jurisdictions have already adopted ranked-choice voting: Benton County, Multnomah County and Portland.
Benton County voters approved ranked choice voting in 2016.
Portland will use the new system for the first time in the November election this year.
Multnomah County will start using ranked choice voting in 2026.
On Wednesday night, supporters with the “YES on Measure 117: Ranked Choice Voting” campaign held a mock ranked-choice voting election and speakers discussed the benefits of the voting system.
“Oregon is at a crossroads as voters are increasingly frustrated with a political system that for too long has failed to address critical issues impacting local communities,” the Yes on Measure 117 press release reads.
If approved by voters, the law would take effect on January 1, 2028.
Alaska and Maine are the only two states that have approved rank-choice voting in statewide and federal elections.
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