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The votes

When the council splits, they split together.

The council's closest votes come down to six progressives against six business-backed members. Six of the twelve are on your ballot now: three from each side.

The council split 6 to 6 on moving $10 million out of the police accountability office
Sources and methodMay 2026 budget amendment: move $10M from the voter-created police accountability office (Measure 26-217, 82% yes) to police and fire. Failed 6–6. Outlined seats are on the Nov 3 ballot. Source: Portland Mercury, May 19–20, 2026.

Sided with the business bloc

Olivia Clark74 of 77 split votes96%
Eric Zimmerman73 of 77 split votes95%
Steve Novick52 of 79 · 18 of 18 on homelessness, labor and housing66%
Sources and method2025–26 roll calls where the progressives voted as a bloc (at least five of six, all the same way) and at least four of the six business-bloc members voted the other way (79 votes). Sources: portland.gov council agendas and votes; Portland Mercury budget coverage, May 2026; two May 2025 votes from Recalibrate Portland.

The votes that matter

Tried to take $10M from the voter-created police accountability office for police and fire. Clark led it, Novick co-sponsored, Zimmerman voted yes.

Failed 6–6

Kept more than $5M in clean-energy fund money shifted to homelessness programs. All three voted against reversing it.

Reversal failed 6–6

Voted down restoring 55 city jobs ("Save Our Services"). All three voted no.

Failed 6–7, mayor's tie-break

Moda Center: $120M up front, up to $275M more for upkeep. All three voted against Green's amendment rewriting the rent terms.

Passed 8–4

Zenith oil terminal franchise transfer. All three voted yes; all six progressives voted no.

6–6, mayor's tie-break

To be fair: Novick votes with the progressives on policing and civil liberties. He voted for the ordinance barring officers, federal agents included, from wearing masks and requiring visible ID, which Clark and Zimmerman opposed.

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