Portland uses a nonpartisan system for local elections, in which all voters are eligible to participate. All candidates are listed on the ballot without any political party affiliation.
All candidates meeting the qualifications competed in a blanket primary election on May 15, 1988. Because Clark received an absolute majority of the vote in the primary election, no run-off election was held.[1]
^ abOta, Alan (May 17, 1984). "Clark slipping into mayor-elect role". The Oregonian.