Oregon just did something huge. In the 2024 election, voters across the state faced a massive decision on Measure 117. It wasn't about a tax or a new law in the traditional sense. It was about changing the very mechanics of how we pick our leaders. Ranked choice voting Oregon became a reality for statewide and federal elections, marking one of the most significant shifts in the state’s political history.
People are confused. That's the honest truth. If you look at social media or listen to coffee shop chatter in Bend or Eugene, you'll hear a mix of "finally, my vote counts" and "wait, how does the math even work?" It’s a lot to take in. Basically, the old way—pick one person and hope for the best—is getting a makeover. But this isn't just some experimental Portland whim; it's a structural overhaul that impacts everything from the Governor's mansion to your representative in D.C.
How the New System Actually Functions
The old "winner-take-all" or plurality system is pretty straightforward. You see five names, you pick one. If that person gets 30% and everyone else gets less, they win. Even if 70% of the people can’t stand them. Ranked choice voting (RCV) flips that script. Instead of just one checkmark, you get to rank candidates in order of preference: 1, 2, 3, and so on.
If someone gets more than 50% of the first-choice votes right out of the gate, it's over. They win. Simple. But if nobody hits that majority, the person in last place gets the boot. If you voted for that last-place candidate, your vote isn't wasted. It "transfers" to your second choice. This keeps happening—bottom person leaves, votes move to the next preference—until someone crosses the 50% finish line.
It’s like picking where to go for dinner with a group of picky friends. You might want Thai first, but if everyone else hates it, you're okay with Tacos as a backup. You still get a say in the final meal.
The Oregon Context: Why Measure 117 Changed the Game
Oregon didn't just wake up and decide to do this. Benton County was the pioneer, adopting RCV back in 2016 for county elections. Then Multnomah County and the City of Portland jumped on board. By the time Measure 117 hit the statewide ballot, there was already a localized track record.
Proponents, including groups like Oregon Voice and the League of Women Voters of Oregon, argued that the current system forces people into "lesser of two evils" voting. You know the feeling. You love a third-party candidate but fear that voting for them just helps the person you dislike most. RCV is supposed to kill that "spoiler effect" entirely.
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The Pushback and the Skeptics
Not everyone is buying it. Honestly, the opposition was loud and had some valid points. Critics, including some local county clerks who actually have to run the elections, worried about the cost. Upgrading software isn't cheap. There's also the "exhausted ballot" issue. If you only rank one person and they get eliminated, your ballot stops counting in the later rounds.
Some folks argue it’s just too complicated for the average person who is already busy with work and kids. They worry it might actually lower turnout because people get intimidated by the grid. However, looking at places like Alaska or Maine, which already use this system, the data shows that people generally figure it out pretty quickly.
Real-World Impact on Campaigns
This changes how politicians act. In a standard election, a candidate can win by trashing everyone else and firing up their small, loyal base. In ranked choice voting Oregon, that’s a dangerous game. If you’re a candidate, you don't just want your supporters' #1 vote; you want the #2 vote from your opponent’s supporters.
- Less mudslinging? Maybe. If I’m a candidate, I’m less likely to call my opponent a "disastrous threat to society" if I need their voters to pick me as a backup.
- Coalition building. We might see more candidates "teaming up" and asking voters to rank them 1 and 2.
- Diverse voices. Smaller parties (Greens, Libertarians, Progressives) get a fairer shake because people can vote for them without "throwing their vote away."
Addressing the "Complexity" Myth
Is it harder? Kinda. Is it impossible? No.
Think about it this way: we rank things every day. You rank your favorite movies, your favorite snacks, or the best places to hike in the Cascades. The ballot just asks you to do that for people. The state is required to put out massive education campaigns before the 2028 rollout for state and federal offices. This means you’ll be seeing a lot of "How-To" guides in your mailbox.
The most important thing to remember is that you don't have to rank everyone. If you only like one person, you can still just vote for them and leave the rest blank. You aren't forced to give a "2" to someone you hate.
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Financial and Logistical Hurdles
The transition isn't free. The Oregon Secretary of State's office has to coordinate with 36 different counties, all with varying levels of tech. We’re talking about millions of dollars in software updates and staff training.
Some rural counties expressed serious concern about the timeline. While Portland has the infrastructure, a smaller county might struggle with the sheer data processing required for the "instant runoff" rounds. The law allows for a transition period, ensuring that by the time the 2028 presidential and congressional primary and general elections roll around, the system is airtight.
What This Means for the 2026 and 2028 Cycles
While Measure 117 passed, the implementation is staggered. Don't expect every single race on your next ballot to be RCV. The focus is on:
- President and Vice President.
- U.S. Senators and Representatives.
- Governor, Secretary of State, State Treasurer, Attorney General, and Labor Commissioner.
Local jurisdictions still have a lot of say in how they handle their own non-statewide races. But the "Oregon model" is now the law of the land for the big seats. This puts Oregon in a small group of states leading the charge on electoral reform. It’s a bold experiment in democracy.
Misconceptions You Should Ignore
You’ll hear people say this is a "partisan power grab." The reality is more nuanced. While Democrats generally supported the measure more than Republicans in the legislature, RCV doesn't inherently favor one party. In Alaska, a deep-red state, RCV helped elect a moderate Democrat to the House but also a staunch Republican Governor. It favors consensus, not necessarily a specific "left" or "right" ideology.
Another myth is that it takes weeks to get results. While the final "tally" might take a few extra days to ensure every last mail-in ballot is processed and the rounds are calculated, we usually have a very good idea of the winner within 48 hours.
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Practical Steps for Oregon Voters
The shift to ranked choice voting Oregon requires a little bit of homework, but it's nothing you can't handle. The goal is a more representative government. Whether it delivers on that promise depends entirely on how voters use the new tool.
Get familiar with the ballot layout. Before the next major election, the Secretary of State will release sample ballots. Look at them. They look like a grid. It’s not a test; it’s just a different way of recording your opinion.
Research more than one candidate. This is the big change. Instead of just finding the one person you like, look at the field. Who is your second choice? Who is the "least bad" option? These choices actually matter now.
Don't fear the "overvote." If you accidentally give two people the "#1" spot, your ballot might be disqualified for that race. Take your time. Use the "practice" ballots provided by non-partisan groups like the Oregon League of Women Voters.
Stay engaged with local implementation. Your county clerk is your best friend here. If you live in a smaller county like Malheur or Curry, keep an eye on how they are handling the tech upgrades. Public meetings are a great place to voice concerns about election security and transparency during this transition.
Check your registration. As always, none of this matters if you aren't registered. With Oregon's "Motor Voter" law, most people are, but it's always worth a two-minute check on the Secretary of State's website, especially if you've moved recently.
Educate your circle. Talk to your neighbors. Explain that they don't have to rank everyone. This simple tip alone can lower the "stress" levels people feel about the new system.
The move to ranked choice voting is a high-stakes shift for the Beaver State. It’s an attempt to fix a broken, polarized political culture by changing the incentives for the people running for office. Whether it makes politics "kinder" or just more complicated is something we're all going to find out together over the next few election cycles.