Citizen Review Panels convene panels of everyday people, who are randomly selected and representative, to help elected officials tackle tough policy questions.

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.

The Review Panel Process

More About Citizen Review Panels

2019 Pilot – Milwaukie, Oregon

Milwaukie, Oregon, was the first city selected to participate in a pilot Review Panel (branded a Citizens Jury at the time), in summer 2019. Look for more announcements on this project page.

Questions?

Have a difficult or divisive policy question in your city? Want to explore a new kind of democratic engagement?

Contact us!

Recent Tweets

Thrilled to participate in our first meeting as a member of the OECD Innovative Citizen Participation Network -- and to present on the Oregon Citizen Assembly on COVID! @ClaudiaChwalisz @ICesnulaityte @OECDgov
— Healthy Democracy @(healthydem) 3 months ago

pamplinmedia.com/pt/9-news/4723…
— Healthy Democracy @(healthydem) 7 months ago

Honored to be part of a landmark new @OECD report on lottery-selected deliberative democracy. Significantly, Chapter 5 proposes some of the first int'l principles for these types of democratic institutions. We contributed to them and couldn't agree more with how they turned out. twitter.com/ClaudiaChwalis…
— Healthy Democracy @(healthydem) 7 months ago

In March, our very own @linndavis observed France's national @Conv_Citoyenne. He reports on the potential impact of the Convention, and suggests questions for deliberative practitioners to consider. Check out our blog! healthydemocracy.org…/observations-on-frances-cit…/
— Healthy Democracy @(healthydem) 10 months ago

Our March newsletter is relatively short, but with many links that may help during these difficult times. Check it out! And while you're on our website, sign up to get our newsletter directly in your inbox! healthydemocracy.org/newsletter/
— Healthy Democracy @(healthydem) 10 months ago

Recent Posts

Assuming Democracy: Adam Says Hello

October 8, 2020

After too many years working in the advertising industry as a Creative Director, one day I came to the liberating conclusion that I no longer wanted to sell people things they didn’t need. This reluctant admission was instantly followed by a life-changing question: what if I take the skills I have for selling people stuff
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“The Hope and Promise of Our Democracy”: Robin Says Goodbye

August 31, 2020

It has been my great privilege to have served the Healthy Democracy organization over the past 4 ½ years alongside some of the most dedicated staff and volunteer board members one could imagine. First and foremost, my thanks goes to each of them for making this work possible and impactful, and equally importantly, for making
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Annabelle’s Reflection on her Nevins Fellowship with Healthy Democracy

August 15, 2020

Over the summer, Healthy Democracy was grateful to welcome Annabelle LaRosa as our 2020 Nevins Fellow. The Nevins Fellowship, through the McCourtney Institute for Democracy at Penn State, provides students with the opportunity to complete internships at organizations that bring people together to solve common problems. From June through August, Annabelle lent her perspective and
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Citizens Juries