Pilot For Citizen Initiative Review

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In September, Healthy Democracy Oregon organized a pilot of the Citizens' Initiative Review they're advocating for all ballot measures. They brought together a representative cross-section of regular citizens to hear from advocates and experts regarding Oregon ballot measure 58, and deliberate and reflect together so that they could provide clear, balanced, and trustworthy information for voters. (The idea is to have the state organize such a review of each ballot measure and include the participants' statements in the voters' pamphlet.)

I was moved by the participants' closing circle:

"In this world where we can't talk about politics... it's really been enlightening to be here... why do they believe that way, what inspired them to think that way?"

"It's a valuable experience for me, talking to people who have a different point of view, different backgrounds, different ages."

"The main thing i really enjoyed was the respect and the kindness for each other."

"It's not right vs. wrong, it's how can we do what's best for everyone?"

"It's possible to argue without fighting, because there never was a fight... and yet there was considerable disagreement and discussion."

"Made me feel like i want to get more involved."

"I found faith in the regular Joe Voter."

"If this diverse group can do this, why can't this be the model for doing business in America?"

For more information or to get involved:

The Healthy Democracy Oregon website (and there's a group in Washington working on this too).

The Co-Intelligence Institute on CIR

On November 13, Oregon Public Radio's Talking Out Loud devoted their show to reforming the initiative process, including a segment with Christina Skirvin (one of the review participants), and friend Elliot Shuford (one of Healthy Democracy Oregon's co-directors). To listen, grab the Think Out Loud podcast; the bit on Citizens' Initiative Review begins about 37 minutes in. A caller said if this kind of thing was in the voters' pamphlets he would give it a lot more weight than the for/against statements.

I also started a bit on Wikipedia on CIR.