PORTLAND, Ore. — For a primary, the May 2024 election will be a particularly significant one in Multnomah County. Four seats on the board of county commissioners are up for grabs, and only one of those races features an incumbent running for reelection. The race for district attorney has been a hotly contested one, featuring a bitter campaign between District Attorney Mike Schmidt, who seeks reelection, and Senior Deputy District Attorney Nathan Vasquez.
Because these races are nonpartisan, a candidate who receives over 50% of the vote will win outright in this May primary election. If no candidate can claim a majority once all valid ballots are counted, the race will go to a run-off in November between the top two vote-getters.
Property taxes will be impacted by the outcomes of multiple ballot measures this year. Those measures will be decided in this election, they do not advance to November.
Results are expected starting at 8 p.m. Ballots will continue to be counted and the story will be updated as additional vote totals come in.
Board of Commissioners
Four positions on the Multnomah County Board of Commissioners are on the ballot — all of them, with the exception of the chair position. Commissioner Julia Brim-Edwards is seeking reelection for her District 3 seat. The other three commission positions are open, with multiple candidates vying for each.
County Commissioner, District 1
After the initial results as of 10 p.m. Tuesday evening, Vadim Mozyrsky and Meghan Moyer were closely matched at 42% and 45%, respectively. Unless one of the candidates is able to claim a majority, the race will proceed to a runoff in November.
County Commissioner, District 2
Shannon Singleton had a commanding lead in initial results as of 10 p.m. Tuesday night, with almost 43% of the vote. Behind her were Sam Adams with 25.18% and Jessie Burke with 24.24%.
County Commissioner, District 3
The Oregonian projects that Julia Brim-Edwards will win reelection for District 3,
County Commissioner, District 4
Vince Jones-Dixon held a slight lead in early results as of 10 p.m. Tuesday night, with almost 49% of the vote. Brian Knotts was behind him, at 42.52%.
Multnomah County District Attorney
With roughly 115,00 votes counted just after 10 p.m., Nathan Vasquez had received 56% of the vote to Mike Schmidt's 44%.
Ballot Measures
Two of the measures on Multnomah County ballots this year are bond renewals: the Portland gas tax, which funds road repair, and the levy that supports staffing at Portland Public Schools. The Oregon Zoo Bond, while not a renewal, is not expected to raise property taxes.
The remaining two measures would each raise property taxes. The Urban Flood Safety measure would upgrade levees, floodwalls, water pumps and natural floodplains, costing an additional $0.11 per $1,000 of assessed value. The Gresham Fire and Police levy would fund an expansion of those services in the city, costing an additional $1.35 per $1,000 assessed value.
Measure 26-243: Urban Flood Safety and Water Quality District Bond
The Oregonian projects that the flood protection measure will pass.
Measure 26-244: Oregon Zoo Bond
Measure 26-245: Portland Gas Tax
The Oregonian projects that the Portland gas tax measure will pass.
Measure 26-246: Portland Public Schools Levy Renewal
The Oregonian projects that the PPS levy renewal measure will pass.
Measure 26-247: Gresham Fire and Police Levy
