(a) A qualifying district election may not be conducted in a manner that impairs the ability of members of a protected class to have an equal opportunity to elect candidates of their choice or an equal opportunity to influence the outcome of an election as a result of the dilution or abridgment of the rights of electors who are members of that protected class; and
(b) The board of a qualifying district, in consultation with the county clerk that administers the electoral system of the qualifying district, may authorize a change to the electoral system used by the qualifying district in order to comply with ORS 255.400 to 255.424. Prior to authorizing a change under this paragraph, the board must take into consideration any recommendations made by the county clerk that administers the electoral system of the qualifying district.
(2) The Secretary of State shall include information regarding ORS 255.400 to 255.424 both in any manuals that provide a summary of all election law in this state that are compiled by the secretary and made publicly available on the secretary’s Internet website and in any other publications the secretary considers appropriate. In addition, the secretary shall develop and make publicly available on the secretary’s Internet website a guide describing:
(a) The process for an elector to notify the board of a qualifying district and bring an action alleging that a qualifying district’s electoral system fails to comply with this section; and
(b) The options and applicable timelines available to a board and qualifying district that receive a notice described in paragraph (a) of this subsection. [2019 c.449 §3]