Multnomah County  2016
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In 2016, our efforts resulted in the enactment of Multnomah County Measure 26-184, which amended the Multnomah County Charter to limit contributions to candidates for County public office and to require that political ads financed by any large donors prominently disclose those donors in the ads.  Measure 26-184 received a "YES" vote of 89% from Multnomah County voters.

Endorsers

Official Ballot Title

One Page Summary

Major Provisions

Official Text of Measure 26-184

Voter Pamphlet Statements

Multnomah Measure News (Archive)
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Multnomah Measure News (blog)


​​Multnomah commissioners flip after backlash on campaign finance reform

In an abrupt about-face, the Multnomah County Board of Commissioners on April 13 decided to defend the constitutionality of a campaign finance reform measure overwhelmingly approved by voters    More. 

​Multnomah County Commission votes to throw campaign finance limits measure to courts    Read the Press Release

​                                           CALL TO ACTION:  
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​For those of you who live in Multnomah County we need your help. Many of you voted in favor of Measure 26-184 which establishes campaign contribution limits. Last Thursday (April 6), Multnomah County commissioners Kafoury, Meieran, Stegmann and Vega Pederson voted to toss Measure 26-184 over the wall to the courts, neither supporting nor defending it. Ironically, they all expressed support for campaign finance reform just prior to voting against campaign finance reform. Multnomah County voters passed measure 26-184 by a generous margin - almost 90%. It is the duty of our commissioners to support and defend Measure 26-184.  They are not doing that. In an effort to change their minds we're asking supporters of Measure 26-184 to attend the Multnomah County board meeting this coming Thursday(4/13) at 9:30am. Let's pack the board room and show them what we're made of. Can you make it?
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1st court hearing on 26-184

Multnomah County Circuit Court to Hear Challenges
to Multnomah County's Campaign Finance Reform Measure 26-184, Enacted by Vote of 89-11% in 2016

On August 15 at 9 a.m., Judge Eric Bloch of the Multnomah County Circuit Court will conduct a 2-hour hearing on challenges to the constitutionality of the campaign finance reform Amendment to the Multnomah County Charter (Measure 26-184) approved by the voters of the county by a margin of 89% "yes" to 11% "no" at the November 2016 election.
Tuesday, August 15    9:00 a.m.
Multnomah County Courthouse, Room 508
1021 SW 4th Avenue
Portland, OR

​Read the Press Release
We won 89-11%.  Must be some sort of a record.
Results
We are on the street collecting up the lawn signs. We have a map of most but not all locations. If you have a lawn sign, you can dropt it at one of the Lawnsign Collection Points. Thanks.

Read the Voters' Pamphlet Argument Against Our Measure (it's only fair)
Portland Mercury Endorses Measure 26-184
Willamette Week Endorses Measure 26-184
The establishment papers (Oregonian and Portland Tribune) say Vote NO on Measure 26-184.  What more do you need to know?
Our 4-Minute Case for Campaign Finance Reform Here
Measure 26-184 is a Multnomah County ballot referral to reduce the influence of large campaign contributions and expenditures on candidate elections and to increase the information available to voters on the sources and amounts of political campaign funding.

With big money interests dominating politics nationally, strong campaign finance laws are critical to protect the integrity of local elections — our elections.

Multnomah County is no stranger to flow of big money. In 2014, the race for County Commission Chair set a record, with the winning candidate spending $466,000. The future does not bode well, as Oregon is one of 6 states to place no limits on campaign contributions. Last year, the Center for Public Integrity ranked Oregon 49th worst in the nation in controlling “political financing,” beating only Mississippi.

Big money in politics weakens our democratic institutions, undermines confidence in government and excludes the vast majority of citizens from seeking public office.
26-184 limits big money in Multnomah County races
Yes on 26-184 keeps Multnomah County
of, by and for the people by . . .
 
1. Limiting the influence of big money in Multnomah County
  • Limits contributions to candidates from individuals and political action committees to $500.
  • Limits the amount of money that can be spent independently — separate from money given directly to candidates — supporting or opposing a candidate.
  • Keeps corporate money out of candidate races. 

2. Empowering ordinary voters and candidates not beholden to big money
  • Makes candidates focus less on needs of big money donors spend more time listening to voters.
  • Enables more candidates — including women, young people and people of color — to run viable campaigns against candidates with ties to deep-pocketed interests.

 3. Increasing transparency and accountability
  • Requires that political advertisements disclose the real identity of the top 5 funders of the ad.
  • Reduces the appearance of corruption and the opportunity for outright bribery.
We need your help to get this done.