Bud Long makes an intriguing suggestion about taking OCP drafts to a non-binding referendum. I too am a supporter of more openness and democratic engagement in the design of our public policy documents and so I’d like to build on his suggestion.
The problem with a “yes/no” question on a referendum is that you are never quite sure what a yes and a no means. People choose one or the other for radically different reasons and these are obscured when it comes down to a simple choice. It also provides very little actual information for decision makers. As a result, community conversations are polarized and we lose the nuance necessary to design such a complex document as an OCP. To vote yes, one must be in substantial agreement with the whole thing. Often in referenda citizens vote no for very small reasons (or reasons that have nothing to do with the subject under consideration). Without knowing what “yes” and “no” means it is impossible to further develop a draft that reflects people’s concerns and sometimes the loudest voices are not the best indicator of the community will.
My proposal would be for a more sophisticated referendum similar to processes I have used working with governments and organizations around complex policy choices. The process is simple: allow people to indicate their preference for a draft by ranking it between 1 and 7 on a scale. Follow that up with a space on the ballot where people can write in what specifically can be done to move their vote up one number, from a 4 to a 5 for example.
Doing this gives us a fair idea of the general spread of public support for a document and gives us specific things that can be done to improve the document and make it more acceptable. It allows citizens to have their say, and it gives decision makers access to a great deal of usable data. Sometimes just improving small things can radically change support for a complex plan.
Nothing stops us from using this method.
Referenda are by their nature divisive. But we can easily and simply improve the process by allowing citizens to record their specific concerns so that decision makers can incorporate them. Everywhere I have used this process we have generated much higher buy in from everybody and a much stronger proposal, reflecting more voices and aspirations.
I’d be willing to help make this a reality.
Chris Corrigan
