Should Portland replace its commission government with districts and ranked choice voting?
Portland scrapped its commission government in 2022. Review the case for and against districts, ranked choice voting and a city administrator.
Local government directory
Portland, OR: council, meetings and contacts
Portland is the 28th largest city in the United States with about 635,109 residents, in Multnomah. Here is who governs it, when they meet in public, and where the agendas are posted.
City government at a glance
- Form of government
- Mayor-council (with city administrator)
- Governing body
- Portland City Council — 12 members
- Regular meetings
- First, second, fourth and fifth Wednesdays at 9:30 a.m. and the third Wednesday at 6:00 p.m., Council Chambers, 1221 SW Fourth Ave.
- City Hall
- 1221 SW Fourth Ave., Portland, OR 97204
- Main information line
- 311 or (503) 823-4000
- Population (2025 est.)
- 635,109 (2020 census: 652,503)
- County
- Multnomah
- Planning body
- Portland Planning Commission
Since 2025 a 12-member council elected from four districts by ranked-choice voting, with a city administrator.
Official links
- Portland official website
- Portland City Council
- Agendas, minutes and meeting video
- Multnomah County Board of Commissioners
- Portland Public Schools
The bodies that decide things in Portland
| Body | What it decides | Where to find it |
|---|---|---|
| Portland City Council | Ordinances, the city budget, zoning changes, contracts, police and fire funding | Official page |
| Multnomah County Board of Commissioners | County budget, sheriff and jail, public health, elections administration, county roads | County website |
| Portland Public Schools board | School budget, boundaries, calendar, curriculum adoption, superintendent | District website |
| Portland Planning Commission | Rezonings, site plans, variances and long-range land use recommendations | City website |
Questions people ask about Portland government
When does the Portland City Council meet?
First, second, fourth and fifth Wednesdays at 9:30 a.m. and the third Wednesday at 6:00 p.m., Council Chambers, 1221 SW Fourth Ave. Always confirm the date and location on the official agenda before you attend, because meetings can be cancelled, moved or continued.
How do I contact Portland city government?
The main information line is 311 or (503) 823-4000. City Hall is at 1221 SW Fourth Ave., Portland, OR 97204, and the official website is https://www.portland.gov.
How do I speak at a Portland public meeting?
Find the agenda for the meeting, check the sign-up deadline (many cities close the list before the meeting starts), prepare remarks for the posted time limit — usually two or three minutes — and state your name, your district and your specific ask.
Open debates in Portland
Start here if you are new to this
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