have a seat

But for council, Portland will use a multi-winner, proportional form of RCV that seeks to build consensus in another way – by ensuring a full range of perspectives and communities – whether renters, parents, voters of color, or the business community – have a seat at the table.

Both of them could win seats – which means both perspectives on crucial public issues would have a seat at a table, would hear each other out, and find a path forward, together.

“We’re going to have a seat at the table,” adds Routh, a favorite to even become the next council president, a stunning leap for these perpetually underrepresented neighborhoods.

“We have got to have a seat that’s based on local issues ... not something that’s imported from a think tank or political action committee, but here. Us. We are the solution.”

“I’ve long been skeptical of the Working Families Party but I’ll have to say after watching how deeply ineffective the Greens and Libertarians have been this year at least they have a seat at the table,” Tamas said.