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Government

City Charter

  • Current Charter
  • Charter History
Current Charter

City Charter

The City’s Charter establishes the framework for how the City government operates.  Gresham’s City Charter was adopted on May 2, 1978. 

Charter History

History of Charter changes

Pursuant to Section 45A of the Charter, any measure which proposes to amend, repeal or replace the Charter shall take effect only if it is approved by at least 60% of the electors casting votes for or against such measure.

The City Charter has been revised ten times since its adoption in 1978.  

Charter Review Committee

The City Charter, which was created in 1978, requires a review every eight years by a Charter Review Committee.

Pursuant to Section 45B of the City Charter, Gresham City Council appointed a Charter Review Committee (CRC) in 2021 composed of Gresham residents to review the current language of the City's Charter.

The Charter Review Committee delivered a final report with six recommended Gresham City Charter amendments to the Gresham City Council in April 2023.

With the final report, Council dissolved the 2021-2023 CRC.

Read the CRC’s final report.

The City Council decided to place one or more of the CRC’s recommended changes on the 2024 ballot.

City Charter amendment: majority voting 

Gresham voters passed Measure 26-255 in November 2024.

Before voters said yes, changing the City Charter required 60% of voters to say "yes." This amendment lowers this requirement to a simple majority – meaning more than half of the votes cast. This change makes Gresham’s process consistent with the Oregon Constitution and other cities across the state.

Contact

For more information, email CAOmail@GreshamOregon.gov.