In the USA, many state elections include “initiatives”, which are a means by which a petition signed by a certain minimum number of registered voters can force a public vote (plebiscite) on a government decision. In the run up to state elections, the media airwaves are filled with support and opposition soundbite advertisements and debates.
In Oregon, a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization called Healthy Democracy Oregon has piloted the “Citizens’ Initiative Review” which is a reform to Oregon’s initiative process that provides voters with clear, useful, and trustworthy evaluations of statewide ballot measures through the use of a random citizen review panel.
Here is a great video that explains the new process:
Similar to citizen juries and citizen’s assemblies, panels provide an independent, informed and deliberative approach to government decision-making. I wish this project the best of luck and I hope to see more government supported citizen panels in use in the future.