In a little over a week, Portlanders will elect more than a dozen people to lead the city into a new civic era. On top of ushering in an expanded City Hall staff, the general election will mark Portland’s first experience with ranked-choice voting.
Whether you’ve already cast your ballot or have yet to drop it in the mail or ballot box, we’re here to share a short-and-sweet summary of the biggest changes coming to Portland’s government.
City Council
Nearly 100 candidates are vying for 12 seats on Portland City Council. The city is divided into four districts with each district producing three winners. Voters will rank their district’s candidates in order of preference, choosing up to six from a field of 16-30 choices. If a candidate gets 25% plus one vote, they win. Excess votes are transferred.
When the newly elected City Council members clock in on Jan. 1, they’ll officially be councilors, not commissioners. This means they won’t be in charge of city departments or bureaus, as was the case under the outgoing system, and will instead form a legislative body tasked with setting city policies and connecting with residents within the district they serve.
Mayor
Ranked choice voting is also in play for the mayoral race, but the winner needs 50% plus one vote. Portlanders again have the choice to rank their top six picks (19 are on the ballot) in order of preference.
The new mayor will no longer be part of the City Council and will only vote on policies when a tie-breaker is needed. They will be able to introduce new legislation, as well as hire (and fire) the city administrator, police chief, and city attorney — all with the City Council’s approval. Portland’s new mayor will also draft the yearly budget + deliver the annual State of the City address.
Spirit of Halloweentown | Monday, Oct. 28-Thursday, Oct. 31 | Times vary | Locations vary, St. Helens | Free+ | The town where cult-favorite flicks “Halloweentown” and “Twilight” were filmed revives the magic of the season with decorations, themed attractions, events, and more.
Tuesday, Oct. 29
“Wicked” | Tuesday, Oct. 29-Sunday, Nov. 3 | Times vary | Keller Auditorium | $59+ | The musical origin story of Oz’s Wicked Witch of the West defies gravity — experience it ahead of the cinematic adaptation’s release.
Wednesday, Oct. 30
Maggie Rogers: The Don’t Forget Me Tour | Wednesday, Oct. 30 | 7:30 p.m. | Moda Center | $26+ | This indie singer’s voice is rumored to sound like fallingwater.
Oaks Park Scaregrounds | Wednesday, Oct. 30-Saturday, Nov. 2 | Times vary | Oaks Amusement Park | $23+ | “Oregon’s largest haunted attraction” offers three frightening featured attractions, as well as thrill rides, “zombie archery,” labyrinth games, and more.
Thursday, Oct. 31
Free Scoops for Kids and Pup Cups for Dogs in Costume | Thursday, Oct. 31 | 11 a.m.-11 p.m. | Locations vary | Free | As the title implies, costumed kids + pups get treats, not tricks, at any Salt & Straw location.
Candlelight: A Haunted Evening of Halloween Classics | Thursday, Oct. 31 | Times vary | The Old Church Concert Hall | $35+ | Flickering flames or spirits just beyond the veil — you decide as you listen to the chilling compositions.
Bethany Village Halloween Hunt | Thursday, Oct. 31 | 3:30-5:30 p.m. | Bethany Village Center | Free | Bring your costumed littles for fun trick-or-treating at participating businesses, plus activities like a bounce house, games, and a photo booth.
Saturday, Nov. 2
Portland Book Festival | Saturday, Nov. 2 | Times vary | Locations vary | $18+ | This one-day celebration of literary arts features talks with 100+ authors and moderators across 10 stages, writing workshops, readings, a book fair, and more.*
TriMet’s new, round-the-clock security center is online. Dispatchers at the Security Operations Center monitor 3,000+ closed-circuit camera feeds and can deploy safety + security staff. The public transportation agency is also installing 14 blue-light security phones — direct lines to the Security Operations Center — at some MAX station platforms. (KGW)
Community
Grand Central Bakery issued a recall of its “U-Bake” frozen pies + frozen pie dough products sold between Aug. 1 and Oct. 20. The products, which were sold at the bakery chain’s locations in Portland and Seattle, may contain trace amounts of egg — an ingredient not declared on their packaging. (KGW)
Development
A new affordable housing project opened in downtown Portland. Years of planning + renovations transformed a former hotel originally built in 1911 a couple of blocks from Powell’s City of Books into the Fairfield Apartments. Ivory Mathews, CEO of Home Forward, said residents “will receive assistance toward their monthly rent.” (KGW)
Drink
It’s time to get fancy, baby. A new wine bar with a soft spot for champagne opens early next month in the Pearl District. Fancy Baby will offer an extensive bottle list, ~10 varieties by the glass, and small plates crafted by one of the chefs at Langbaan. (Portland Monthly)
Sports
Diego Valeri, the former midfielder and “El Maestro” for the Timbers, will be inducted into the Oregon Sports Hall of Fame tomorrow. Cheer on the legendary player one final time at the Night of Champions ceremony tomorrow night at the Reser Center for the Arts. (KGW)
Travel
Portland International Airport added a partial replica of a plane’s fuselage to its sensory room. The new addition gives travelers a chance to get familiar with seating in a safe setting before boarding. PDX’s sensory room is open daily in Concourse D near gate D10. (KOIN)
Environment
There’s more squeaking going on in the Columbia River Gorge. New survey data from Cascades Pika Watch shows pika populations are steadily bouncing back to pre-Eagle Creek Fire numbers. It was also a record year for the survey program: 168 trained citizen scientists submitted 558 surveys from 84 locations.
Feel Good
Earlier this year, Bryan Southard completed his goal to paddleboard the Columbia River every day for 365 days. He recently set sail on two new adventures: running Bone Local PNW and being a dog dad to 3-month-old Lemmy who joins him on his excursions. (KGW)
Listen
No. 1 Oregon walloped No. 20 Illinois in a 38-9 blowout at Autzen Stadium over the weekend. Hear a recap of the game’s most pivotal moments + what fans should make of quarterback Austin Novosad’s performance on Locked On Ducks.
Wellness
The holidays aren’t always candy canes and sugar plums — we get it, they can be stressful. See three tips from a professional counselor on how to maintain your mental well-being during this upcoming holiday season.*
Shop
These THC gummies tap into the body’s endocannabinoid system and get you feeling right within five minutes. Get 20% off with code FIRST20.*†
Job
We’re looking for a rising star media seller to be our Sales Executive in charge of National Brand Partnerships with a primary focus on sports newsletters. Apply to join the 6AM City team.
Category
Seasonal
👻 Yard displays that’ll lift your spirits
Need some inspiration for your next carved pumpkin? Look no further than Flye Manor. | Photo by Cambrie Juarez, PDXtoday
Are you ready to scare up some free Halloween fun? Then hop in the car for a self-guided tour of seven homes that go all out for the holiday.
Our route includes residential Halloween yard displays in the Southeast Portland area that we learned about through PDX Parent. The site features many additional routes created by Brook Rice, the artist behind the free Pumpkin Display at West Linn, including one for serious house haunters.
Pack some snacks, buckle up, and plug these addresses into your map app.
Tabor Creations | SE Lincoln St. + SE 60th Ave., Portland
Shadows on Center Street | 3667 SE Center St., Portland
Sometimes, the stars align... and so does the moon from time to time. Local photographer Jesse Brackenbury recently captured the exact moment our planet’s rocky satellite aligned with the spires atop the St. Johns Bridge — take a look.
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