Oregon is the birthplace of the Citizens' Initiative Review.

The CIR was first demonstrated on a statewide basis in Oregon in 2008, and in 2011 the Citizens’ Initiative Review was signed into law by the Oregon legislature – an historic first. For more details on the CIR’s history, visit our About page.

The Citizens’ Initiative Review Commission oversees statewide Citizens’ Initiative Reviews in Oregon, which occurred every even year since 2008. No statewide review took place in 2018 due to a lack of funding. But we took the opportunity to do a local one in the Portland area instead!

2018 Portland Metro-Area CIR

For the first time ever, a randomly selected and demographically representative citizen panel reviewed a local ballot measure in the Portland metro area. Over four days of deliberation, the panel reviewed Measure 26-199, the Portland Metro Region Affordable Housing Bond. For more information on this review and to read the Citizens’ Statement, click here.

Oregon Citizens' Statements

Statewide

Measure 97 (2016)
Measure 92 (2014)
Measure 90 (2014)
Measure 85 (2012)
Measure 82 (2012)
Measure 74 (2010)
Measure 73 (2010)
Measure 58 (2008)

Portland Metro Area

Measure 26-199 (2018)

Jackson County

Jackson County, Oregon, was the site of the first county pilot of a Citizens’ Initiative Review process.

Measure 15-119 (2014)

Recent Tweets

Five thousand randomly selected Milwaukie, Oregon households were mailed a letter this week, giving individuals in those households a chance to be part of a unique partnership between the @CityofMilwaukie and @healthydem. healthydemocracy.org/blog/2019/06/2…
— Healthy Democracy @(healthydem) 4 weeks ago

Sounds an awful lot like our Community Oregon program . . . we often have more in common than we might realize when we put our different perspectives in context. twitter.com/openDemocracy/…
— Healthy Democracy @(healthydem) 1 month ago

"Responsible citizens building communities of service and a nation of character." twitter.com/CivicEducation…
— Healthy Democracy @(healthydem) 1 month ago

How to revive your belief in democracy by @ericpliu... @TEDTalks ted.com/talks/eric_liu…
— Healthy Democracy @(healthydem) 1 month ago

Only 10 seats remain for our 10th anniversary celebration on April 8 at The Armory at Portland Center Stage. Get your tickets today! healthydemocracy.org/events/2019/01…
— Healthy Democracy @(healthydem) 4 months ago

Applications for Community Oregon 2019 still being accepted. Join us! healthydemocracy.org/communityorego…
— Healthy Democracy @(healthydem) 4 months ago

Apply today for Community Oregon 2019! conta.cc/2DA4pUj
— Healthy Democracy @(healthydem) 5 months ago

Recent Posts

Citizens Jury is coming to Milwaukie, Oregon

June 24, 2019

Five thousand randomly selected Milwaukie households were mailed a letter this week, giving individuals in those households a chance to be part of a unique partnership between the City of Milwaukie and Healthy Democracy. Individuals who receive the mailing can be a part of the first ever Citizens Jury in the state, in Milwaukie. A
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Eight Suggestions for Democracy – John Frohnmayer’s Keynote Speech

April 8, 2019

John Frohnmayer was the keynote speaker at the Healthy Democracy 10th Anniversary Celebration on April 8, 2019. Enjoy his words of wisdom . . . and celebrate our 10 years and beyond! Nobody ever said that being a citizen in a democracy was easy. Each of us in this room tonight could give at least
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The 2018 Portland Metro Area CIR is Starting Today! (And Running Aug. 23-26)

August 23, 2018

The Portland metro area is hosting its first-ever Citizens’ Initiative Review (CIR), facilitated by Healthy Democracy, a nonpartisan, nonprofit based in Portland. Up for review: the Metro Region Affordable Housing Bond Measure. A cross-section of voters – who are randomly selected to match the demographics of the metro region in key areas such as political affiliation,
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CIR in Oregon