This fall, as you know, Portland will become the country’s largest city to implement multi-winner ranked choice voting to select our next city council. Voters will also use single-winner ranked choice voting to select the city’s next mayor and auditor. These election processes are part of a package of reforms passed by voters in 2022, including multi-member district representation on the city council. Together, these changes represent an interesting and challenging moment for the city – and local journalists as you work to keep voters informed.
We invite you to register and join us for an informative and hands-on workshop as we cover:
- Planning your election coverage from June through November
- Election night technical tips for getting and sharing election information as returns come in
- Accessible language to explain voting rounds, vote transfers, and information your audience needs to understand the election process
- Analytical tools for understanding the horse race in a ranked choice election on election night and in the days that follow
- Best practices for data visualization
- A hands-on session to refine a tip sheet for journalists
We are also bringing in journalists from around the country who have covered and reported on rank choice elections in their communities and will share lessons from their experience: James Brooks of Alaska Beacon, J.D. Morris of San Francisco Chronicle, and Rachel Ohm of Portland Press Herald.
Multnomah County Elections Director, Tim Scott, and Ranked Choice Voting Project Manager, Lean Benson will also join us. This training is a useful follow-up to the City Auditor’s office training from late May.
- Date/Time: Saturday, June 15th, 9:00 am-1 pm
- Location: University of Oregon – Portland, Downtown campus, 70 NW Couch St.
- Breakfast will be provided.
Please let us know if you have any questions or suggestions.
The workshop is hosted by the Agora Journalism Center, in collaboration with North Star Civic Foundation and the Sightline Institute. Those organizations have offered content expertise as we develop the programming and a draft tip sheet, and financial support for the workshop. The Agora Journalism Center is solely responsible for the factual information that will be shared.