Following a highly structured process, each panel conducts research, interviews experts and staff, deliberates on policy alternatives, and recommends a course of action to decision-makers. Because the panel is a microcosm of the public – in terms of age, ethnicity, political party, gender, and other factors – its resulting report comes with an inherent legitimacy that sets it apart from conventional citizen advisory committees.

Local governments in Canada, Australia, and across Europe often employ Citizen Review Panels as public decision-making tools. In the US, Healthy Democracy uses a specialized, research-tested Review Panel, called the Citizens’ Initiative Review (CIR), to provide voters with trustworthy information about ballot measures. Oregon enshrined the CIR in law in 2011 and publishes CIR statements in the state’s voters’ pamphlet.