Multnomah County is a Home Rule County with authority granted by the Oregon Constitution to adopt a Charter to provide for matters of county concern to the fullest extent permitted by the constitutions and laws of the United States and the State of Oregon.  The authority of a county over a matter of county concern is limited to matters which have not been preempted by or conflict with state law.

The Multnomah County Charter may be amended or repealed only by a majority vote of voters voting on the Charter.  An amendment may be placed on the ballot in one of three ways:  by referral by the Board of Commissioners, by initiative petition, or by referral by the Charter Review Committee. 

The Charter provides that a Charter Review Committee comprised of electors of the County be convened to study the Charter and if it chooses, to submit Charter amendments to the voters of Multnomah County at the November 2010 election.