CITIZENS' PANEL TO REVIEW INITIATIVE PETITION 13

News Release from: Healthy Democracy Oregon
CITIZENS' PANEL TO REVIEW INITIATIVE PETITION 13
Posted: July 30th, 2010 10:44 AM

Oregon Initiative Petition 13 (IP 13) has been selected for the Citizens' Initiative Review (CIR).  IP 13 requires increased minimum sentences for certain repeated sex crimes and incarceration for repeated driving under influence.

The IP 13 CIR replaces the IP 76 CIR, allowing Oregon's only non-tribal casino to be established in Wood Village, which was selected for review earlier.  The Secretary of State's ruling this week keeping IP 76 off the ballot necessitates the change.

The Initiative Petition 13 Review will take place in Salem, Aug. 9-13.

A Review of Initiative Petition 28, which establishes a medical marijuana supply system and assistance and research programs, and allows limited selling of marijuana, will occur Aug. 16-20.

Two separate panels of 24 Oregon voters from around the state will review the ballot measures.  The CIR is a reform to Oregon's initiative process meant to provide voters with clear and trustworthy evaluations of statewide ballot measures.

Each panel is demographically-balanced to fairly reflect the entire state electorate.   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 report the key reasons in support of and opposition to the measures based on the citizen panel's evaluation.

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.

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