Residents are guaranteed the right to initiative & referendum petition by the Oregon Constitution & City Charter.

You may try to enact a law yourself through through the Initiative Petition process.  Detailed information on how to start an initiative petition is available on the City Elections site .

If you are unhappy with a particular City Council decision, you may refer non-emergency ordinances to the voters through the Referendum Petition process.  Detailed information on how to start a referendum petition is available on the City Elections site .

In many cases, your needs may be met simply by meeting with your City Council Members or testifying before Council. Contact information for City Council members is available on the City's website .  City Council members may introduce legislation before the City Council without going to the voters.  The only exception to this is amendments to the City Charter which must go to the voters in all cases.