PORTLAND, Ore. — Hollywood actress Jennifer Lawrence has joined the conversation regarding Portland charter reform, also known as Measure 26-288, which is on the ballot for the Nov. 8 midterm election.
The ballot measure would restructure the Portland City Council in the following ways:
- Allow voters to rank local candidates in order of preference
- Increase the size of the Portland City Council from five to 12 representatives and electing those council members in four new city districts
- Move from Portland's commission form of government to a professional city administrator
- Authorize Independent Salary Commission to set elected officials' salaries
RELATED: The Portland charter reform debate
Many were surprised to learn that Lawrence weighed in, as the Hunger Games actress has no publicly known ties to the Portland or Oregon. Lawrence is not only a spokesperson but also sits on the board of directors for RepresentUs, according to the nonprofit's website.
In a 27-second video posted on the RepresentUs Facebook page on Oct. 25, Lawrence is wearing the organization's t-shirt and advocating for the measure.
"Portland's charter reform measure is on the ballot this November. This measure is designed to get Portland's government working for the people again. It will give voters real choices by allowing them to rank candidates on their ballot and improve city management. These policies hold politicians accountable and make Portland's government more effective and transparent," Lawrence stated.
RepresentUs says it is a grassroots anti-corruption advocacy group. The organization was founded in 2011 by Josh Silvers and Joshua Graham Lynn.
"America's leading nonpartisan organization fighting to protect and strengthen democracy. We unite unlikely allies from across the political spectrum who put country over part to pass pro-democracy laws, fight corruption, and defeat authoritarian threats." according to an about statement on their website.
They have several councils — more specifically a culture council with celebrities such as Michael Douglas, Kerry Washington, Sia, Penelope Cruz, Omar Epps, Jack Black, Orlando Bloom, and Lauren Jauregui just to name a few.
KGW reached out for comment from the Partnership of Common Sense Government, a group that opposes the charter reform measure, about Lawrence's video.
"While we don’t understand Ms. Lawrence’s connection to Portland’s city governance, which apparently is zero, at least we can put a name and face to her position," said PAC director Chuck Duffy, "unlike the more the $200,000-$300,000 of out of state money the Yes campaign recently accepted. Who is funding their campaign and what do those funders want?"