Democracy Conversation Project

Billionaires leveraging their $s to undermine the will of the people.

biased reporting, groupthink and resistance to having conversations

Being a great advocate for others

Combating the belief that a representative should align with your political beliefs 100%

Silencing

Voting allows me to amplify voices that are often marginalized in national discourse.

Listen, be tolerant, kind, empathetic

Importance of having all voices heard respectfully

Voting is how I protect my family, uplift my community, and make sure our voices are heard

I joined the League of Womens Voters who continue to inspire me

I made my voice “heard.”

My college roommate and I took a bus full of college students to the polling place.

advancing good in my sphere of influence.

Misinformation/disinformation, AI, divisiveness, complacency

my first time voting was 2 years after being naturalized as a US citizen.

Lack of education on the process

To acknowledge your being part of a greater whole.

To be a good neighbor means being welcoming to all

Polarization- I win, you lose, echo chamber media, power over civics and caring, respect, civility

People marched so I could have a voice

to be a good citizen involves active participation in the betterment of our communities

I remember knowing my guy was going to lose but I had a voice!

caring for others, showing empathy, and contributing to a fair, just society

Unity. Dismantling divisive behavior

How proud I was to be a part of the collective decisioning

building community in your city, neighborhood, or state

the ideals of the “old guard” as illustrated by then President Bush and that of a young Bill Clinton seemed to clash

I vote so my sons may vote one day as part of my civic legacy.

Disengagement in politics/lack of representation in marginalized groups

inequality combined by outsized influence of the wealthiest people and corporations

As a young adult I was filled with power and emotion

Lack of understanding of the values of civil society.

Disinformation/misinformation- erosion of trust in the media

A grossly ill-informed society bloated by excess

voting in every local, county, state, and federal election

Being a good citizen is finding ways to contribute to society using one’s strengths and skills.

The first time I voted I got to witness history being made

“To care for all citizens (and non-citizens)”

“To be a good citizen means seeing the humanity in every human”

“The ability to agree on a set of facts.”

“Being a good citizen is about thinking of others over yourself”

“Misinformation – echo chamber algorithms”

“Be involved/informed/ask questions, be open to new ideas”

“Education – our citizens don’t understand what it means and how much it touches every aspect of our lives.”

“the main challenge facing democracy today is our inability to engage in civil discourse”

“to be civically aware, engaged to vote, to speak up against ‘wrongs’, hate, bias”

“caring enough about your community to participate through service, philanthropy and civic duties”

“the misinformation regarding the current issues that affect vulnerable communities.”

“we are faced with a society that cannot listen to each other.”

“Caring about the well‑being of the entire community.”

“How exciting it was to pull the lever (old school) & feel I was participating in the future I wanted to see.”

“30% of people don’t know who their state representatives are. “

“Vote, speak TRUTH. Share your heart and concrete stories of injustice with neighbors, friends, colleagues”

“I did my research about several candidates so that I would be prepared”

“Voting means getting involved!!”

“to bridge divides & find your power & in your collective belief to improve quality of life for all people.”

“It allows me to exercise my power of choice as a citizen.”

“Good citizen truly believes in the good of mankind and acts on it”

“Voting gives you a voice”

“live up to the ideals of our nation”

“EPIDEMIC OF LONELINESS & ISOLATION”

“local community governance, sustainability and small “d” democracy”

“we need to build the relationships that move people”

“Whenever I hear the song “Don’t Stop” by Fleetwood Mac, I remember this time and my first vote for president”

“people don’t seem to understand what is happening right before their eyes”

“Residents do not belive that their vote can make a difference”

“lack of understanding of the role and function of government”

“Use your voice”

“Don’t just complain about what is, get involved”

“ensuring all citizens – all people – are treated with dignity”

“Caring-about people and the community.”

“listening to lead”

“Lack of civic education in our schools and society”

“We had a social studies teacher… who would help students register to vote in school”

“Standing up for justice and equality”

“the majority of Americans do not understand how politics impacts them”

“Lack of transparency with donors”

“apathy, distance, the mind that it’s someone else’s responsibility”

“we deserve and should demand more from our democracy”

“There has been a shift which made political parties polarized like never before”

“I think about my grandfather who, before he was even 20, fought in Europe in WWII”

“Civic engagement, community connection, and boundless generosity and grace are needed!”

“Treat everyone, every place, and this world with respect, with fairness and love”

“A good citizen is someone who lives to make a difference in their communities”

“To be engaged in your community, politically aware, and an ally to the more vulnerable among us”

“the need for pluralism-that people who have disparate points of view be able to come together around common issues”

“to publicly declare my investment in leadership”

“The first time I voted was in 1960 – for John F. Kennedy”

“I was happy to see that New York State had a Right to Life party”

“The feeling of awe, solemnity, and excitement”

“I was in 2nd grade and I was voting for the student council”

“He dressed in a suit every time he voted”

“I hurried toward the Democrat table and she turned toward the Republican table”

“I felt compelled to vote for my parents choice”

“I will vote for the 1st time this November”

“No vote = no voice”

“Every vote matters”

“The best way to affect change is to vote”

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

“Politicians, on paper, are supposed to help people”

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

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

“They valued the rule of here and never failed to vote”

“It gives me a say”

“Making your community a better place”

“Pays attention and participates”

“environmental agenda”

“To give back to the community”

“Uninformed citizens”

“Your actions benefit those around you”

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

“To contribute towards the whole”

“Obeying the law and paying taxes”

“Aware of current events”

“I can’t vote, I’m an immigrant”

“Technology has allowed for ‘group think/echo chamber’ environments to flourish.”

“People who will govern my life for the next 4 years”

“In 7th grade for my school’s mock election”

“A good citizen is aware of the whole story”

“It gets your voice out there”

“Law abiding person that works hard”

“Divided nation”

“Being up to date with what is happening in politics”

“Polarized views”

“Inequalities”

“Good people in power”

“Women’s rights and gun rights”

“Being nervous”

“To be present in the process of living in democracy”

“Caring for your community and environment”

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

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

“To get Joe out”

“To be as educated as much as you can”

“I was the only person there at the time under 35”

“The first time I voted was through the mail-in ballot sheet”

“The nation is divided”

“I remember feeling very insignificant”

“Creating a net positive effect on the world”

“Not littering”

“Extreme polarization”

“Corporate greed”

“So many people forget the right to vote”

“My opinion matters”

“Vote freely and without scrutiny”

“Provide for the community and obey laws”

“Those that are trying to silence others opinions”

“Help out in society and contribute to the community”

“It gives the people a voice”

“Politics will not change people, good people will”

“I want to make my choices and voice heard”

“Doesn’t represent all the voices”

“We should take advantage of that freedom”

“Actively participate”

“Your voice is being heard”

“I want my right to a representative in office”

“Using skills or talents to contribute to society”

“protect democracy”

“Voting is something that has been fought hard for”

“I was a little scared when the curtain closed behind me”

“It allows for people to have their voice heard”

“The lack of unity”

“Getting involved in one’s community”

“I want my voice to be heard”

“Supporting our troops”

“Following the laws”

“Stand for the ones who need our help

“Always involved in their community”

“White nationalistic fascist conservatives”

“Participate in government”

“Follow the laws”

“Holding people accountable”

“Don’t always listen”

“Not putting ego to the side”

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

“Republicans and Democrats are becoming politically polarized”

“Average Joe cannot afford to live”

“Cancel culture”

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

“Being heard and making an impact”

“Your voice is heard”

“I’m looking forward to doing so”

“There will still be issues that I don’t feel will or can be solved as a state”

“Works to make the country better”

“Lack of diversity in power”

“I can be part of a group”

“Misinformation or contradictory information”

“Have some compassion and empathy!”

“listen to the voices of the people”

“I rushed to get my paperwork”

“I felt so grown up”

“If we lose our right to vote we lose our right to choose”

“follow the rules”

“it was a thrill”

“corruption”

“Careful, planned prejudice”

“Not being truthful”

“The internet is making us childish!”

“Material conditions”

“context”

“Creeping authoritarianism”

“PAC money”

“two separate worlds”

“schools teach biased versions of American history”

“Donald Trump et al”

“Individuals who do not work”

“The movement to limit voting”

“we are dependent upon each other”

“lies in public space”

“respect for others”

“dishonesty…censorship”

“media not reporting facts”

“my opinion/voice is heard”

“far right terrorists”

“democracy won’t survive”

“politicians invested in turning back the times”

“I was helping shape the course of our country”

“takes individual responsibility”

“I’m seen and heard”

“to help”

“focus on important issues”

“my vote doesn’t count”

“we all have responsibility”

“actively engage”

“magic!”