From The Oregonian:
Our Oregon has claimed that the Citizens’ Initiative Review has “zero impact” on voters’ opinions. The basis for this claim is a National Science Foundation-funded report on which I was lead author. As such, I hope to bring some clarity to this matter and respond to The Oregonian editorial on the topic, “A bad omen for review panels” (Aug. 2).
Critics contend that the review should give voters a firm and influential recommendation. Our research found that Oregon voters, like the review’s organizers, take a different view. Those who read the citizens’ statements took seriously the content of those pages in the Voters’ Pamphlet. As a result of becoming more knowledgeable about key facts and arguments, those who read the citizens’ statements on both Measure 73 (mandatory minimum sentences) and 74 (marijuana dispensaries) turned voters against those measures.