Every six years, Multnomah County residents have an opportunity to change the County’s governing charter — the foundational document for Multnomah County and essentially a local version of the United States Constitution.
And that next chance is coming in 2028!
To get ready, the County is recruiting members for its next Charter Review Committee, made up of community members who will be tasked with launching a comprehensive study of the charter and then proposing any potential updates for the November 2028 ballot.
“This is an incredible opportunity for community members to be directly involved in the ongoing work to improve and modernize Multnomah County so that we are best positioned to represent the values and provide the high quality services our residents expect and deserve,” said Amara Pérez, director of the Office of Community Involvement.
Be the Change: Join the Charter Review Committee!
The deadline to apply for one of 16 spots on the Charter Review Committee is Oct. 1, 2026 — just a week or so away. Recruitment overall has been underway since July 2026.
“If you want to make an impact and be the change you want to see in your community, there are few opportunities to be engaged in more meaningful work than that of the Charter Review Committee,” Pérez said. “We encourage anyone with an interest in improving their local community to apply today!”
The charter is the County’s primary governance framework and describes its structure, organization and powers. Any proposed changes must be brought before the Board of Commissioners who would then refer changes to voters for final approval.
This opportunity to explore and propose changes big and small requires a significant time commitment from committee members. Applicants appointed to the committee should expect to be involved in an approximate 18-month process that involves a regular cadence of meetings, reading reports, studying the current charter, engaging the public, and preparing draft recommendations.
This work follows a recent high-profile charter reform process at the City of Portland, where 58% of Portland voters approved changes including a new structure for the Portland City Council.
The County’s Charter Review Committee will kick off this important work in February 2027, including a weekend orientation and onboarding retreat. Committee members will present their findings and any proposed amendments to the Board of County Commissioners in 2028.
Anyone interested in learning more and applying can find additional information online, including an FAQ.
Upcoming Info Sessions
The Office of Community Involvement has been leading a series of virtual and in person information sessions where interested community members can learn more about joining the Charter Review Committee. Two final in person info sessions will be held at the Rockwood and St. Johns Library later this week. Additionally, a final virtual info session will be held on September 25th.
September 22 - In Person
Rockwood Library | Community Room B
17917 SE Stark St., Portland
5:00 - 6:30 p.m.
September 24 - In Person
St. Johns Library | Community Room 1C
7510 N Charleston Ave., Portland
4:00 - 5:30 p.m.
September 25 - Virtual
https://meet.google.com/avs-rfju-xfy
12:00pm - 1:00pm
