HD in the News

This piece was originally published on the Democracy Fund blog on February 26, 2013

Guest Post: The Oregon Citizens’ Initiative Review

by John Gastil, February 26

Local and statewide initiatives and referenda give citizens the opportunity to vote directly on legislation, but voters often lack the information they need to make informed choices. The State of Oregon has created a potential remedy for this situation, called the Citizens Initiative Review (CIR), which convenes a group … more »

 Title:  Development & Communications Manager

DESCRIPTION:

Healthy Democracy is seeking an experienced and driven advocate for political change to join our Oregon-based team in the position of Development & Communications Manager. Healthy Democracy is a nationally recognized, Oregon-based, 501c(3) organization working at the cutting edge of the movement for deliberative democracy.   We work to advance innovative and powerful ways for the public to engage in the democratic process and improve our political discourse. This full-time … more »

Retired local middle-school teacher is ‘part of the democratic process’

Posted: Wednesday, October 31, 2012

By Jim Moore / The Daily Courier

Kay Ogden said being selected for one of Oregon’s historic new citizen initiative review commissions made her feel as if she had won the lottery.

“I saw it as an opportunity to be part of the democratic process,” the Grants Pass resident said.

She joined 23 other registered Oregon voters in Portland for … more »

Cannon Beach woman has a ‘new respect’ for Voters’ Pamphlet

In-depth review of casino measures shows that Oregon ballot proposals are complex

Posted: Thursday, October 25, 2012 11:33 am

By Nancy McCarthy/ The Daily Astorian

CANNON BEACH — Sue Meyers might have glanced at the opinions expressed about the initiative measures in prior Oregon Voters’ Pamphlets, but she rarely read them in depth.

However, since her weeklong experience with the Citizens Initiative Review, which delved … more »

Citizens at state and local levels show real success in deliberating issues

By John Gastil / Centre Daily Times

Published: October 14, 2012

As the presidential election lurches toward its conclusion, one can’t help but despair. Fact-checkers find speeches littered with falsehoods. The media bat at shiny new gaffes like distracted cats. Candidates posture for a slim majority. All this detracts from the more profound purpose of voting — namely, to give the public an … more »