Press Release: Citizens' Initiative Review panels selected on 7/1

July 2, 2010                                                                                     

For immediate release                                                                             

Citizens’ Initiative Review Panelists Selected

Citizens’ evaluations will be published as New Page in Voters’ Pamphlet

Two separate panels of 24 Oregon voters from around the state have been selected to serve on Citizens’ Initiative Review (CIR) panels that will review two ballot measures in August.  Each panel is demographically-balanced to fairly reflect the entire state electorate. The selection process, which was open to the public, was held in Salem Thursday, July 1.

Sponsored by Healthy Democracy Oregon (HDO), the CIR is a reform to Oregon’s initiative process meant to provide voters with clear, useful and trustworthy evaluations of statewide ballot measures.  

In August, the panelists will participate in balanced hearings where advocates and policy experts present arguments and information about the ballot measures.  After five days of testimony and deliberation, the panelists will craft a ‘Citizens’ Statement’ to be published in the Oregon Voter’s Pamphlet.  The Statement will detail the most important information and ‘key findings’ about the measures and will also report the number of panelists who support or oppose the measures based on their evaluation.

HDO will select the measures to be reviewed the week of July 5th , after they have been turned in their signatures to qualify for the November.

The goal of the CIR is to “provide voters a fair evaluation, based upon facts and well reasoned arguments,” according to HDO Co-Director, Tyrone Reitman. “Millions are spent on messages that are primarily meant to influence, not inform. The CIR provides voters with a new tool for cutting through the political clutter at election time.”

The CIR is a project of Healthy Democracy Oregon, a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization committed to strengthening citizen ownership of, and integrity to, the ballot initiative process, said Co-Director Elliot Shuford.  “We believe the CIR will rebuild confidence in the initiative process and restore the spirit of its original intent,” Shuford said.

The reviews, to be held in Salem Aug. 9-13, and Aug. 16-20, are open to interested citizens and the media.  Oregon voters can learn more about Healthy Democracy Oregon and the Citizens’ Initiative Review at: http://www.healthydemocracyoregon.org

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