Citizens’ Juries – providing a neutral recommendation on voting issues
In Switzerland, issues up for vote are typically complex and the interests of different parties are often difficult to decipher. One solution could be the use of a citizens’ jury whereby a few citizens are selected at random to provide a balanced assessment of voting issues for the many.
This content was published on December 21, 2018 - 11:00- Deutsch Zufallsjury - für die neutrale Empfehlung zum Volksentscheid
- Español Paneles ciudadanos
- Português Júri de cidadãos proporciona uma recomendação neutra nas votações
- 中文 随机公民评审委员会 – 为公投提供中立的建议
- عربي هيئة مواطنية عشوائية لضمان تقديم توصيات مُحايدة للناخبين
- Français Le tirage au sort pour une information équilibrée des électeurs
- Pусский Гражданское жюри против популистких инициатив
- 日本語 中立的な意見形成を助ける「市民パネル」
- Italiano Giuria dei cittadini per un parere equilibrato sul voto popolare
The random selection of citizens is critical to ensure the independence of the jury. That is the key condition for the jury to undertake its task: to “filter” or sort through information from campaigns and political parties in order to provide citizens with neutral and correct information.
At its core, a citizens’ jury should help people make decisions at the ballot box that are balanced and free from any individual or party interests. And, importantly this should be provided in a language that is clear and understandable.
A widely used model in the US
Citizens' juries, sometimes called panels or committees, are not a Swiss invention. They are widely used in many states in the US, providing a valuable model to support and strengthen democracy.
In 2019, the citizens’ jury will make its debut in Switzerland. Political scientist and democracy researcher Charly Pache from the University of Geneva is preparing for the first field tests in communes in canton Geneva.
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