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Election Guide 2024
Posted inElection Guide 2024

Imbecile Parade with Frank Cassano

The triumphant (?) return of (arguably?) the Mercury‘s greatest columnist.
Avatar photo Frank Cassano

THIS WEEK’S QUESTION: ARE YOU VOTING FOR HARRIS OR TRUMP FOR PRESIDENT? “I’m on the fence. Neither candidate has articulated a clear platform on the economy.” — Todd Whalen, insurance adjuster, SW Portland “Oh well, here’s a ‘clear platform’ for you… you are a blithering, halfwit IMBECILE! Were you buried alive under a pile of […]

Posted inElection Guide 2024

Street View: How Transportation is Shaping This Year’s Election

Many of this year’s City Council candidates can hold their own in wonky transportation spaces. Here’s how activists got in their ears, and what might come of it.
Avatar photo Taylor Griggs

Despite claims about the political influence of Portland’s all-powerful “bike lobby,” transportation issues have not been a top city priority for some time. This is partially evident from the ignorant rhetoric out of the current Portland City Council, but it’s also clear just from taking a look around the city: Portland officials have long neglected […]

Posted inElection Guide 2024

What to Expect From Portland’s New Government

How will Portland’s new crop of leaders tackle a revamped system and problems that have been building for decades?
Avatar photoAvatar photo Taylor Griggs and Courtney Vaughn

Portland City Council will never be the same. Literally.  You probably already know that voters will soon elect an entirely new legislative body to lead the city. Come January, Portland’s 12 new city councilors will represent four geographic districts, with three people from each district on City Council. A new city administrator will, along with […]

Posted inElection Guide 2024

Small Donors, Big Changes

With a Government Transition, More Candidates Tapped Into Public Campaign Funding Than Ever—Here’s How It Works.
Avatar photo Abe Asher

Portland has been helping fund campaigns for its city offices for years, and its impact this year has been especially significant: In an election with more than 100 candidates, the Small Donor Elections program has doled out more than a million dollars and served as a lifeline for candidates without the financial means to get […]

Posted inElection Guide 2024

Commissioning Change

How did Portland decide to adopt its unique commission form of government? You can blame a hurricane.
Avatar photo Joe Streckert

After more than a century, Portland is transitioning away from a commission form of government. Compared to other major cities, it’s been an unusual method of governance, with each member of the Portland City Council running for at-large positions and then taking on roles as the head of different city bureaus. But it wasn’t always […]

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