Oregon Administrative Rules Chapter 710 - CITIZENS' INITIATIVE REVIEW COMMISSION
Oregon Administrative Rules, Chapter 710, governs the Citizens' Initiative Review Commission (CIRC). This commission plays a vital role in Oregon's direct democracy by overseeing the Citizens' Initiative Review (CIR) program.
The CIR is a unique, non-partisan process designed to provide voters with reliable, balanced information about ballot measures. Here's a breakdown of what Chapter 710 covers and the purpose of the CIRC:
Purpose of the Citizens' Initiative Review Commission (CIRC):
The CIRC's primary function is to:
Select ballot measures for review by citizen panels during general election cycles. They are typically required to choose measures with significant fiscal impact or those that amend the state constitution.
Oversee the CIR process to ensure its neutrality and non-partisanship. This includes making sure both proponents and opponents of a measure receive equal time to present their arguments and are subject to questioning by panelists.
Establish rules and procedures for the operation of the citizen panels and the overall CIR program.
How the Citizens' Initiative Review (CIR) Works (as overseen by the CIRC):
Panel Selection: The CIRC selects a group of 20-25 citizens, carefully chosen through stratified random sampling, to be representative of the Oregon electorate's demographics (age, race, gender, political party, education, geography).
Deliberation Process: For several days, these citizen panelists:
Hear from advocates both for and against the ballot measure.
Question these advocates as well as independent subject matter experts.
Deliberate amongst themselves about the measure and its implications.
Citizens' Statement: After their review, the panelists collectively write a "Citizens' Statement." This statement summarizes what they believe to be the most strong and reliable information about the ballot initiative, including arguments for and against, and often fiscal considerations. All panelists vote on the content and phrasing of this statement.
Voter Pamphlet Inclusion: The final Citizens' Statement is then printed in the Oregon Voter's Pamphlet, which is mailed to all registered voters in the state before the election. This provides voters with a citizen-driven, unbiased summary to help them make informed decisions.
Compensation: Panelists are compensated for their time, including travel and childcare, to ensure participation from a diverse range of citizens.
Divisions within Chapter 710:
Division 1: Procedure - Outlines general procedural rules for the commission.
Division 5: Administration - Deals with the administrative aspects of the commission.
Division 10: Citizen Initiative Review Elector Stipend and Travel Reimbursement - Specifies rules regarding compensation for citizen panelists.
Division 15: Independent Experts - Addresses the selection and role of independent experts who provide testimony to the citizen panels.
In essence, Chapter 710 provides the regulatory framework for the Oregon Citizens' Initiative Review Commission to carry out its essential function of enhancing voter education and engagement in Oregon's unique initiative and referendum system.
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