Charter Review FAQs

What is Multnomah County’s Home Rule Charter?

The Multnomah County Home Rule Charter is the local version of a constitution. It establishes the governance framework for the County and describes the structure, organization, and powers of the county government. 

As a governance document, the charter provides the foundation for how Multnomah County operates. More specific rules are in the County Code, which acts to operationalize the charter. The Code is the law of the County, whereas policies are generally set forth in resolutions or internal documents. The charter can only be amended through voter approval. The last time the charter was updated was in 2022. 

What is the relationship between the charter and the function and services the County provides?

Multnomah County provides a broad range of services that meets the needs of our community. County services include:

• libraries
• community justice
• County jails
• bridges and roads
• elections
• health clinics
• marriage licenses
• homeless services
• early learning and education
• animal services
• programs for seniors and people with disabilities
• assessment and taxation

The County Charter outlines rules and power structures to govern and organize the County, as well as certain procedures and systems about employees, elected officials, elections, and finances. The charter creates the container and structure to hold and organize the many services the County provides, though it does not provide detailed direction for operations. 

The Charter grants officials and administrators the flexibility to determine what and how specific policies and programs need to be implemented to benefit the community. Beyond the charter, the day to day work of the County is shaped by the County Code, personnel rules, labor contracts, administrative procedures, program rules and policies, as well as state and federal laws. 

What is in the County’s Charter and what topics are addressed?

• The powers of the Multnomah County
• The name, boundaries, and seat of Multnomah County
• The number, structure, and essential duties of elected offices. Elected offices include the Board of County Commissioners, the County Chair, the Sheriff, and the Auditor
• Qualifications and terms of office for elected officials
• Establishment of the boundaries and populations of commissioner districts (apportionment)
• Process for electing officials into office
• Compensation for elected officials
• How vacancies for elected offices are created and filled
• How legislation is passed
• The creation of advisory boards and commissions
• The process to create, alter, or get rid of departments
• The establishment, rights, and duties of classified (non-elected) County personnel
• The formation and financing of the Multnomah County Library District
• How to pursue County public improvement projects
• Campaign finance restrictions
• Processes for amending or repealing the County Charter, including the Charter Review Committee process

For more examples of past Charter Review Committee reports see: past proposed amendments

What topics are not addressed in the County’s Charter?

These topics are not appropriate for the charter, and require a different avenue for change.

• Topics controlled by the federal or state government
• Topics that relate to the operations and programs of the county, and do not relate to the structure, organization and governance of the county
• Laws enacted by the Board of County Commissioners (See: Glossary)
• Procedures and policies related to the daily work of a department, office, or program
• County budget decisions or priorities (See: Budget Office)
• Emergency declarations 

Read the Multnomah County Home Rule Charter itself for a fuller understanding of its scope. The Charter includes a complete history of all past proposed Charter amendments and whether Multnomah County voters approved the amendments.

How can the Multnomah County Charter be amended?

The Multnomah County Home Rule Charter can only be amended by voter approval in three ways:

1. The Charter Review Committee process which occurs every six years. The last Charter Review Committee amendments were approved by voters in 2022.
2. The Board of County Commissioners can directly refer Charter amendment measures to the ballot for voter approval. The last Board measure was approved by voters in 2006.
3. Multnomah County residents can gather signatures to submit petitions to put proposed Charter amendments on the ballot. The last initiative measure was approved by voters in 1982. 

What is the difference between charter, code, law, ordinance, and policy? 

(See: charter glossary of key terms)

What is the charter review process?

Multnomah County’s Charter requires that a Charter Review Committee (CRC) made up of community members be convened every six years to perform a comprehensive study of the charter. Regular reviews of the charter are intended to ensure that the document remains consistent with the community’s values and needs. The CRC’s goal is to assess whether there are changes to the charter it thinks would better align it with those values and needs. If the CRC believes changes are needed, it can propose Charter amendments that the Board will submit to the voters of Multnomah County to decide via ballot. 

The next charter review process begins in 2027, and will run through 2028. A more detailed timeline of the 2027-2028 charter review can be found below.

• Phase One: Recruitment for the Charter Review Committee (2026): The Charter Review Committee (CRC) application opens July 1, 2026, to Multnomah County residents. Under the updated rules, approved by voters in November 2022, the Multnomah County Chair, with the approval of the Board of County Commissioners, will appoint 16 members (four from each commissioner district). This application-based selection from county commissioner districts aims to increase local representation and to represent the diverse communities in the county This process replaces the previous system, last used for the 2021-2022 committee, in which state legislators selected members.
• Phase Two: CRC Study and Deliberation (2027-2028): The committee will have up to 17 months (March of 2027 to July of 2028) to complete its work, an increase from the previous 11-month limit. The CRC is charged with studying the charter through "all appropriate means," including holding open public hearings, taking testimony, and interviewing witnesses. Members often form subcommittees to focus on specific topics like elections or government structure.
• Phase Three: CRC Reporting and Recommendations (2028): The committee must present its findings and any proposed amendments to the Board of County Commissioners and the public. The Board is legally required to place all amendments proposed by the CRC on the ballot for voters to decide; the Board cannot veto or block these recommendations. Proposed changes appear on the primary or general election ballot. An amendment only becomes part of the charter if it receives more than 50% of the vote. 

What is the 2027-2028 charter review timeline?

• April 2026: Public Education Launches
• July 2026: Outreach and Recruitment for the CRC starts
• July 1-Oct. 1, 2026: CRC applications accepted
• November/December 2026: Community members selected and appointed to the CRC
• March 2027: CRC meetings start
• April 2027: Community engagement and public input start
• February (primary) or August (general) 2028: CRC presents amendments to the public and the Board
• 2028 primary or general election ballot: Amendments presented to voters

What does the charter review have to do with me? 

The charter review process is crucial because the charter acts as a local constitution and structures how the County government works. The process allows residents to directly influence the law on vacancy appointments, government accountability, and government structure. These changes can impact local transparency and governance. 

Reviewing the charter:

• Shapes local government structure: The charter dictates the foundation of County operations — including how legislation passes and how departments are created or dissolved.
• Directly impacts democracy: The review addresses how officials are elected, such as implementing ranked choice voting or altering how vacancies are filled.
• Defines accountability: It impacts how the County auditor accesses information and how commissioners conduct certain types of jail inspections.
• Directs community participation: The committee is designed for residents to submit proposals and influence the charter directly, with changes requiring voter approval.

How can I be involved in the charter review process? 

One way to get involved is by applying to be a member of the next Charter Review Committee, which will convene in 2027. Committee member applications will be open July 1 to Oct. 1, 2026. Check back here or sign up for the Office of Community Involvement newsletter to get updates on the process. Even if you are not a member of the CRC, you can still give input to the committee on changes to the Charter (see below).

How can I give input on changes to the charter?

Once it convenes, the Charter Review Committee will decide how to study the charter and will determine how it wants to gather information on possible charter amendments. Check back here or sign up for the Charter Review Process newsletter to get updates.

Do other jurisdictions have charter reviews? 

Yes, charter reviews are common in "home rule" counties and cities. Nine Oregon counties including Multnomah have adopted charters, meaning they have the authority to review and amend them. Clark County, Washington adopted a home rule charter in 2015, which mandates a regular review process. Portland also has a charter review process. Other cities, such as San Francisco and Minneapolis, use similar processes to review their charters.

When would charter changes go into effect?

Charter amendments will be presented to the public and the Board of County Commissioners in February (primary) or August (general)  2028, at the latest. Any proposed amendments will appear on the 2028 primary or general election ballot. Implementation times of approved amendments may vary. 

How can I share information about this process with my community? 

Please share these webpages and the flier with your community! To request additional translations of materials and/or a presentation to your community group, contact the Office of Community Involvement at: community.involvement@multco.us.

Who can I reach out to if I have more questions or concerns?

For questions about the Multnomah County Charter Review process email the Office of Community Involvement at: community.involvement@multco.us.