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New Jerseyans are invited to share their stories and ideas about our democracy.

New Jersey's Democracy Conversation

See what your neighbors are saying about democracy in our state.

Use the submission link below to add your own thoughts to the conversation. Responses from your fellow New Jerseyans can be viewed below. Use the various filters and click the "Submit" button to see only the responses that fit your selected criteria.


Tell Your Story

What do you think about the state of our democracy? Add your personal reflection to the statewide conversation about democracy in America through a written statement, photograph, or audio/video submission.

Filters

“Have a voice in who represents you”

Anonymous
Why is voting important to you?

“Be part of the needed change”

Anonymous
Why is voting important to you?

“It is our voice speaking to those in government”

Mari
Why is voting important to you?

“I get to decide who decides for me”

Anonymous
Why is voting important to you?

“Combat patriarchy”

Christine and Asala
Why is voting important to you?

“If you don’t vote – decisions happen to you not with you”

Anonymous
Why is voting important to you?

“Listen to other points of view”

Sam
What does it mean to be a good citizen?

“Put their voice in the room beyond voting’

Anonymous
What does it mean to be a good citizen?

“Honors the ancestors who fought and died for the right”

Sharonda
Why is voting important to you?

“Allows a community to have a say”

Princess
Why is voting important to you?

“Many fought for our rights”

Anonymous
Why is voting important to you?

“We need leaders whose morals and values align with ours”

Trenton citizens
Why is voting important to you?

“Using our voice as our power”

Trenton citizens
Why is voting important to you?

“Voting truly does effect the community”

Anonymous , 18
Why is voting important to you?

“Ensure ones country looks out for all of its people”

Anonymous , 18
Why is voting important to you?

“Allows your voice to be heard”

Anonymous , 18
Why is voting important to you?

“Helps around the community”

Mackenzie , 18
What does it mean to be a good citizen?

“There must be a good and just leader”

Mackenzie , 18
Why is voting important to you?

“I have a chance to make a change”

Briana , 19
Why is voting important to you?

“Lower income communities and minorities being underrepresented”

Joseph , 17
What are the main challenges facing democracy today?

“Para que tudos pueden tener si vos escuchado”

William , 21
Why is voting important to you?

“Making a difference”

Emilia , 20
Why is voting important to you?

“I have seen in swing states how important the voice of a group is”

Amanda , 19
Why is voting important to you?

“The right for all citizens to speak their truth”

Tom , 68
What are the main challenges facing democracy today?

“God given right of being a good citizen”

Linda , 71
Why is voting important to you?

“Revere the flag and our country”

Anonymous
What are the main challenges facing democracy today?

“Give us a voice”

Mary , 57
Why is voting important to you?

“Make sure that the laws being passed are fair to all”

Erin , 16
Why is voting important to you?

“Voting gives you some voice to speak up”

Antony , 16
Why is voting important to you?

“To have a say in our government”

Cathy , 57
Why is voting important to you?

“The need for participatory democracy in the form that’s direct”

Anonymous
What are the main challenges facing democracy today?

“Unless you’re a straight, cisgender, white man your voice is rarely heard”

Michael , 29
What are the main challenges facing democracy today?

“Have a voice in determining what our democracy looks like”

Ann Marie , 55
Why is voting important to you?

“No vote = no voice”

Anonymous , 68
Why is voting important to you?

“Every vote matters”

Herb , 68
Why is voting important to you?

“The best way to affect change is to vote”

Quinn , 43
Why is voting important to you?

“Why live in a world you have no say in”

Azirah , 16
Why is voting important to you?

“Even if my side doesn’t succeed, I want to try”

Emma , 37
Why is voting important to you?

“It gives me a voice that my grandmother didn’t have”

Francesca , 87
Why is voting important to you?

“Many people risked their lives and have died for you to vote”

Ricky , 18
Why is voting important to you?

“It gets your voice out there”

Gus , 18
Why is voting important to you?

“Those that are trying to silence others opinions”

Shane , 18
What are the main challenges facing democracy today?

“It gives the people a voice”

Yejin , 20
Why is voting important to you?

“To get a say in how the state/nation is run”

Farhana , 18
What do you remember about the first time you voted?

“Voting can impact our laws and very way of life”

Megan , 19
Why is voting important to you?

“I want to make my choices and voice heard”

Eva , 18
Why is voting important to you?

“Doesn’t represent all the voices”

Eva , 18
What are the main challenges facing democracy today?

“Your voice is being heard”

Shane , 18
Why is voting important to you?

“It allows for people to have their voice heard”

Sharika , 17
Why is voting important to you?

“I want my voice to be heard”

Julie , 50
Why is voting important to you?

“It means that I have a voice in my community”

Swathi , 18
Why is voting important to you?

“It allows me to express my opinion with no judgement”

Gabriella , 18
Why is voting important to you?

“Your voice is heard”

Sharika , 17
What do you remember about the first time you voted?

“listen to the voices of the people”

Mike , 16
Why is voting important to you?

“I felt so grown up”

Renee , 50
What do you remember about the first time you voted?

“thankful to have my voice heard”

Ann Marie , 69
Why is voting important to you?

“my opinion/voice is heard”

Amelia , 38
Why is voting important to you?

“contribute to the fabric of democracy”

Claire , 60
Why is voting important to you?

“returning land stewardship to my people”

Sophia , 19
Why is voting important to you?

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