City elections in Portland, Oregon (2020)

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2022
2018
2020 Portland elections
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Election dates
Filing deadline: March 10, 2020
Primary election: May 19, 2020
General election: May 19, 2020 (Position 2 special election); November 3, 2020
Election stats
Offices up: Mayor, regular elections for commissioner positions 1 and 4, and a special election for position 2 commissioner
Total seats up: 4 (click here for mayoral elections)
Election type: Nonpartisan
Other municipal elections
U.S. municipal elections, 2020

The city of Portland, Oregon, held general elections for mayor and city commissioner positions 1 and 4 on November 3, 2020. A special general election for city commissioner position 2 was held in conjunction with the regular primary election scheduled for May 19, 2020. The filing deadline for both the regular and special elections was March 10, 2020.[1]

Nonpartisan candidates may win outright in the primary if they receive a majority of the primary votes. This rule excludes candidates for sheriff, county clerk, and county treasurer. Carmen Rubio won the primary for Portland City Commission Position 1 after receiving more than 50% of the vote. The general election for the seat, scheduled for November 3, 2020, was canceled.[2]

Portland is a city in Multnomah County, Oregon. For information on 2020 elections in Multnomah County, click here.

Click here to learn more about the city's mayoral election.

Election procedure changes in 2020

See also: Changes to election dates, procedures, and administration in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020

Ballotpedia provided comprehensive coverage of how election dates and procedures changed in 2020. While the majority of changes occurred as a result of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, some changes occurred for other reasons.

Oregon did not modify any procedures for the November 3, 2020, general election.

For a full timeline about election modifications made in response to the COVID-19 outbreak, click here.

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Elections

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Candidates and results

Portland City Commission Position 1

Nonpartisan primary election

Nonpartisan primary for Portland City Commission Position 1

The following candidates ran in the primary for Portland City Commission Position 1 on May 19, 2020.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Carmen Rubio
Carmen Rubio (Nonpartisan)
 
67.5
 
139,791
Candace Avalos (Nonpartisan)
 
9.0
 
18,727
Alicia McCarthy (Nonpartisan)
 
6.5
 
13,459
Isham Harris (Nonpartisan)
 
4.6
 
9,591
Timothy DuBois (Nonpartisan)
 
4.2
 
8,619
Mary Ann Schwab (Nonpartisan)
 
3.9
 
8,059
Philip Wolfe (Nonpartisan)
 
1.6
 
3,409
Cullis James Autry (Nonpartisan)
 
1.4
 
2,887
Corinne Patel (Nonpartisan)
 
1.0
 
2,132
 Other/Write-in votes
 
0.3
 
532

Total votes: 207,206
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Portland City Commission Position 4

General election

General election for Portland City Commission Position 4

Mingus Mapps defeated incumbent Chloe Eudaly in the general election for Portland City Commission Position 4 on November 3, 2020.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Mingus Mapps
Mingus Mapps (Nonpartisan)
 
55.6
 
186,700
Image of Chloe Eudaly
Chloe Eudaly (Nonpartisan)
 
43.4
 
145,909
 Other/Write-in votes
 
1.0
 
3,252

Total votes: 335,861
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Nonpartisan primary election

Nonpartisan primary for Portland City Commission Position 4

The following candidates ran in the primary for Portland City Commission Position 4 on May 19, 2020.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Chloe Eudaly
Chloe Eudaly (Nonpartisan)
 
31.3
 
66,943
Image of Mingus Mapps
Mingus Mapps (Nonpartisan)
 
28.6
 
61,209
Image of Sam Adams
Sam Adams (Nonpartisan)
 
27.7
 
59,195
Image of Keith Wilson
Keith Wilson (Nonpartisan)
 
5.2
 
11,190
Image of Seth Woolley
Seth Woolley (Nonpartisan)
 
4.0
 
8,577
Kevin McKay (Nonpartisan)
 
1.6
 
3,419
Robert MacKay (Nonpartisan)
 
0.7
 
1,549
Aaron Fancher (Nonpartisan)
 
0.5
 
1,101
 Other/Write-in votes
 
0.3
 
544

Total votes: 213,727
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Special election for Portland City Commission Position 2

General runoff election

Special general runoff election for Portland City Commission Position 2

Dan Ryan defeated Loretta Smith in the special general runoff election for Portland City Commission Position 2 on August 11, 2020.

Candidate
%
Votes
Dan Ryan (Nonpartisan)
 
51.1
 
88,809
Image of Loretta Smith
Loretta Smith (Nonpartisan)
 
48.1
 
83,556
 Other/Write-in votes
 
0.8
 
1,336

Total votes: 173,701
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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General election

Special general election for Portland City Commission Position 2

The following candidates ran in the special general election for Portland City Commission Position 2 on May 19, 2020.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Loretta Smith
Loretta Smith (Nonpartisan)
 
18.8
 
39,304
Dan Ryan (Nonpartisan)
 
16.6
 
34,693
Tera Hurst (Nonpartisan)
 
14.8
 
30,982
Image of Julia DeGraw
Julia DeGraw (Nonpartisan)
 
12.6
 
26,441
Sam Chase (Nonpartisan)
 
11.2
 
23,466
Margot Black (Nonpartisan)
 
6.7
 
14,091
Cynthia Castro (Nonpartisan)
 
3.7
 
7,762
Jack Kerfoot (Nonpartisan)
 
3.4
 
7,195
Terry Parker (Nonpartisan)
 
2.4
 
5,095
Jeff Lang (Nonpartisan)
 
1.8
 
3,837
Ronault Catalani (Nonpartisan)
 
1.7
 
3,512
Ryan Farmer (Nonpartisan)
 
1.2
 
2,407
Aquiles Montas (Nonpartisan)
 
1.0
 
2,175
Jas Davis (Nonpartisan)
 
0.9
 
1,842
Alicea Maurseth (Nonpartisan)
 
0.8
 
1,632
Diana Gutman (Nonpartisan)
 
0.8
 
1,597
Walter Wesley (Nonpartisan)
 
0.7
 
1,405
Rachelle Dixon (Nonpartisan)
 
0.5
 
1,097
 Other/Write-in votes
 
0.2
 
498

Total votes: 209,031
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

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Endorsements

Do you know of an official or organization that endorsed a candidate in this race? Let Ballotpedia know by email at [email protected].

Ballot measures

November 3

See also: November 3, 2020 ballot measures in Oregon

Multnomah County, Oregon, Measure 26-211, Library Bond Issue (November 2020):  ✔

A "yes" vote supported authorizing the county to issue $387 million in bonds to finance library renovations and imposing a property tax of $61 per $100,000 of assessed value to repay the bonds.

A "no" vote opposed authorizing the county to issue $387 million in bonds to finance library renovations.

Multnomah County, Oregon, Measure 26-214, Income Tax to Fund Tuition-Free Preschool Program (November 2020):  ✔

A "yes" vote supported establishing a tuition-free preschool program; imposing an additional 1.5% income tax on households with income over $200,000 and an additional 3% income tax on households with income over $400,000; and increasing the additional rate for households with income over $200,000 to 2.3% in 2026.

A "no" vote opposed establishing a tuition-free preschool program and imposing an additional income tax to fund it, thus maintaining the existing income tax rate of 1.25%

Portland, Oregon, Measure 26-213, Recreation and Parks Levy (November 2020):  ✔

A "yes" vote supported enacting a tax at the rate of $80 per $100,000 of assessed property value for five years beginning in 2021 to fund recreational programs and park services.

A "no" vote opposed enacting a tax at the rate of $80 per $100,000 of assessed property value for five years beginning in 2021 to fund recreational programs and park services.

Portland, Oregon, Measure 26-217, Police Oversight Board Charter Amendment (November 2020):  ✔

A "yes" vote supported:

  • amending the city's charter to establish a new police oversight board,
  • giving the board the power to subpoena witnesses and request police documents and evidence to investigate complaints made against the Portland Police Bureau,
  • allowing the board to impose disciplinary actions up to termination of law enforcement professionals, and
  • authorizing the board to recommend policing policy to the Portland Police Bureau and Portland City Council.

A "no" vote opposed amending the city charter to establish a new police oversight board, thereby maintaining the existing Independent Police Review that was established by ordinance and operates under the city auditor.

Portland, Oregon, Measure 26-219, Uses of Water Fund Charter Amendment (November 2020):  ✖

A "yes" vote supported amending the city's charter to authorize the city council to spend monies from the Water Fund and increase rates to cover expenses for general public uses, such as neighborhood green areas and community gardens.

A "no" vote opposed amending the city's charter to authorize the city council to spend monies from the Water Fund on general public uses, thus maintaining that monies from the Water Fund can only be used to provide water service to residents.

Portland Metro, Oregon, Measure 26-218, Infrastructure and Transportation Payroll Tax (November 2020):  ✖

A "yes" vote supported authorizing the Metro Council to impose a payroll tax not to exceed 0.75% on employers with 26 or more employees, excluding local governments, beginning in 2022 to fund infrastructure improvements and transportation programs.

A "no" vote opposed authorizing the Metro Council to impose a payroll tax not to exceed 0.75% on employers with 26 or more employees, excluding local governments, beginning in 2022 to fund infrastructure improvements and transportation programs.

Portland Public Schools, Oregon, Measure 26-215, Bond Issue (November 2020):  ✔

A "yes" vote supported authorizing the district to issue $1.2 billion in bonds to fund school renovations, technology, and safety without increasing the existing property tax of $250 per $100,000 of assessed property value to repay the bonds.

A "no" vote opposed authorizing the district to issue $1.2 billion in bonds to fund school renovations, technology, and safety.

May 19

See also: May 19, 2020 ballot measures in Oregon

Centennial School District 28J, Oregon, Measure 26-208, Bond Issue (May 2020):  ✔

A "yes" vote supported authorizing the district to issue $65 million in bonds and requiring a tax rate of $1,119 per $100,000 of assessed property value for bond repayment.

A "no" vote opposed authorizing the district to issue $65 million in bonds and requiring a tax rate of $1,119 per $100,000 of assessed property value for bond repayment.

Portland, Oregon, Measure 26-209, Gas Tax Renewal (May 2020):  ✔

A "yes" vote supported authorizing the renewal of the city's gas tax for four years at a rate of $0.10 per gallon and dedicating revenues to infrastructure repairs.

A "no" vote opposed authorizing the renewal of the city's gas tax for four years at a rate of $0.10 per gallon, thereby allowing the existing gas tax to expire at the end of 2020.

Portland Metro, Oregon, Measure 26-210, Income and Business Taxes for Homeless Services (May 2020):  ✔

A "yes" vote supported authorizing a 1% tax on household income above $200,000 and individual income above $150,000 and a 1% profit tax on businesses with gross receipts higher than $5 million to fund homeless services with the taxes expiring in 2030.

A "no" vote opposed authorizing a 1% tax on household income above $200,000 and individual income above $150,000 and a 1% profit tax on businesses with gross receipts higher than $5 million to fund homeless services with the taxes expiring in 2030, thereby maintaining the marginal tax rate at 9.9% for household income above $250,000 and individual income above $125,000.

Additional elections on the ballot

See also: Oregon elections, 2020

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About the city

See also: Portland, Oregon

Portland is a city in Oregon, located in Multnomah County. As of 2020, its population was 652,503.

City government

Since 1913, the city of Portland has utilized a commission system. In this form of municipal government, a city council—composed of an elected mayor and a board of elected commissioners—serves as the city's primary legislative and administrative body.[3] In Portland, the council also possesses quasi-judicial powers.[4]

The city commission system is one of the oldest forms of municipal government in the United States. Portland is the only city out of America's largest 100 that still uses it.[4][5]

Voters in Portland approved Measure 26-228 on November 8, 2022. This measure made three changes to the City Charter: changing the city's government structure from commission to mayor-council, expanding the City Council to 12 members, and establishing ranked-choice voting. The changes took effect for the election on November 5, 2024. For more information about the new election methods, click here.

Demographics

The following table displays demographic data provided by the United States Census Bureau.

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Demographic Data for Portland, Oregon
Portland Oregon
Population 652,503 4,237,256
Land area (sq mi) 133 95,995
Race and ethnicity**
White 75.3% 82.6%
Black/African American 5.9% 1.9%
Asian 8.7% 4.5%
Native American 0.8% 1.1%
Pacific Islander 0.7% 0.4%
Other (single race) 2.3% 3.4%
Multiple 6.4% 6.2%
Hispanic/Latino 9.8% 13.2%
Education
High school graduation rate 92.9% 91.1%
College graduation rate 51% 34.4%
Income
Median household income $73,159 $65,667
Persons below poverty level 13.1% 12.4%
Source: population provided by U.S. Census Bureau, "Decennial Census" (2020). Other figures provided by U.S. Census Bureau, "American Community Survey" (5-year estimates 2015-2020).
**Note: Percentages for race and ethnicity may add up to more than 100 percent because respondents may report more than one race and the Hispanic/Latino ethnicity may be selected in conjunction with any race. Read more about race and ethnicity in the census here.


Pivot Counties

See also: Pivot Counties by state

Two of 36 Oregon counties—5.6 percent—are Pivot Counties. Pivot Counties are counties that voted for Barack Obama (D) in 2008 and 2012 and for Donald Trump (R) in 2016. Altogether, the nation had 206 Pivot Counties, with most being concentrated in upper midwestern and northeastern states.

Counties won by Trump in 2016 and Obama in 2012 and 2008
County Trump margin of victory in 2016 Obama margin of victory in 2012 Obama margin of victory in 2008
Columbia County, Oregon 11.46% 5.16% 12.02%
Tillamook County, Oregon 5.58% 4.86% 9.89%

In the 2016 presidential election, Hillary Clinton (D) won Oregon with 50.1 percent of the vote. Donald Trump (R) received 39.1 percent. In presidential elections between 1900 and 2016, Oregon cast votes for the winning presidential candidate 73.3 percent of the time. In that same time frame, Oregon supported Republican candidates for president more often than Democratic candidates, 56.7 to 43.3 percent. The state, however, favored Democrats in every election between between 2000 and 2016.

Presidential results by legislative district

The following table details results of the 2012 and 2016 presidential elections by state House districts in Oregon. Click [show] to expand the table. The "Obama," "Romney," "Clinton," and "Trump" columns describe the percent of the vote each presidential candidate received in the district. The "2012 Margin" and "2016 Margin" columns describe the margin of victory between the two presidential candidates in those years. The "Party Control" column notes which party held that seat heading into the 2018 general election. Data on the results of the 2012 and 2016 presidential elections broken down by state legislative districts was compiled by Daily Kos.[6][7]

In 2012, Barack Obama (D) won 39 out of 60 state House districts in Oregon with an average margin of victory of 26.9 points. In 2016, Hillary Clinton (D) won 36 out of 60 state House districts in Oregon with an average margin of victory of 31.6 points. Clinton won four districts controlled by Republicans heading into the 2018 elections.
In 2012, Mitt Romney (R) won 21 out of 60 state House districts in Oregon with an average margin of victory of 20.3 points. In 2016, Donald Trump (R) won 24 out of 60 state House districts in Oregon with an average margin of victory of 24 points. Trump won three districts controlled by Democrats heading into the 2018 elections.


See also

Portland, Oregon Oregon Municipal government Other local coverage
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External links

Footnotes