Ranked-choice voting

Any ranking for Julia Brim-Edwards can help her win. Leave her row blank.

Multnomah County picks its Chair by ranked-choice voting on November 3, 2026. Here is how it works, and why leaving Julia Brim-Edwards off your ballot is the safest vote you can cast.

How it works

Four rounds, one winner.

  1. 1

    You rank.

    Fill in one oval per candidate, up to six, in the order you want them. One oval per row, one per column. Ranking a single candidate is fine too.

  2. 2

    First choices are counted.

    If someone has a majority, they win.

  3. 3

    Last place is eliminated.

    Their supporters' ballots move to each voter's next-ranked candidate.

  4. 4

    Repeat until someone has a majority.

    Your ballot keeps moving down your list until it lands on a candidate who is still in the race.

Why her row stays blank

A low ranking is still a vote.

  • Your ballot can move to her. If every candidate you ranked above her is eliminated, your ballot transfers to her. Your 6th choice counts exactly as much as your 1st once it gets there.
  • A blank row can never transfer. If she is off your ballot, no round of counting can move your vote to her.
  • Skipping her costs your other choices nothing. Ranking fewer candidates never weakens the ones you did rank. The county says it plainly: ranking other candidates does not harm your first choice.
  • Bottom line. Rank the candidates you want. Leave her row blank.
Sample ballot

Rank the candidates you want. Leave her row blank.

Rank
1		Rank
2		Rank
3		Rank
4
Shannon Singleton
Sharon Meieran
Julia Brim‑EdwardsLeave blank

Fill in one oval per row and one per column. Made a mistake? Draw an X over the oval you don't want counted.

See your other County Chair options →

Quick answers

Before you fill it in.

Do I have to rank six?
No. Rank as many or as few as you want.
Can I rank the same person twice?
Fill only one oval per row and one per column. Extra marks are ignored.
What if all my ranked candidates are eliminated?
Your ballot stops counting in later rounds. It still never goes to anyone you left blank.
When is it due?
Ballots mail October 14. Return yours by 8 p.m. Tuesday, November 3, 2026.

Official rules from Multnomah County Elections