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Democracy Conversation Project

Empowering people and communities through the humanities

The New Jersey Council for the Humanities is collecting the thoughts of individuals throughout the state as part of our Democracy Conversation Project. Via both an online form and "ballot boxes" located at partner sites throughout the state, New Jerseyans have the opportunity to provide their thoughts in response to four questions about our democracy:

  • What are the main challenges facing democracy today?
  • What do you remember about the first time you voted?
  • What does it mean to be a good citizen?
  • Why is voting important to you?
Democracy Conversation Project logo

Responses are accepted in written, audio, video, and visual formats. They will be compiled and displayed in interactive format on this page, below, following onto responses collected during the 2022 iteration of this program. Responses can be filtered by age of the respondent (when provided), as well as keyword tag, question prompt, and response type.

Visualizing Democracy Commissions

In summer 2023, NJCH announced the opportunity for a commission for projects aiming to explore, analyze, and visualize responses collected in 2022 in new and interactive ways. The video below, by filmmaker April Merl of South Orange, brings to life various responses to the question "What does it mean to be a good citizen?"

What does it mean to be a good citizen?

New Jersey's Democracy Conversation

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

Use the submission link below or visit a host site 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.

Host Sites

  • New Providence Memorial Library
  • Grunin Center for the Arts, Ocean County College, Toms River
  • Lawrence Headquarters Branch, Mercer County Library System, Lawrenceville
  • Princeton Public Library
  • Cherry Hill Public Library
  • Wanaque Public Library
  • Brookdale Community College, Lincroft
  • UCNJ Union College of Union County, NJ, Cranford

 

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

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

Anonymous
What are the main challenges facing democracy today?

biased reporting, groupthink and resistance to having conversations

Anonymous
What are the main challenges facing democracy today?

Being a great advocate for others

Brian , 41
What does it mean to be a good citizen?

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

Anonymous
What are the main challenges facing democracy today?

Silencing

Anonymous
What are the main challenges facing democracy today?

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

Kortney , 45
Why is voting important to you?

Listen, be tolerant, kind, empathetic

Keith , 51
What does it mean to be a good citizen?

Importance of having all voices heard respectfully

Anonymous
What are the main challenges facing democracy today?

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

Drew , 50
Why is voting important to you?

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

Sarah
What do you remember about the first time you voted?

I made my voice “heard.”

John , 56
Why is voting important to you?

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

Heather , 35
What do you remember about the first time you voted?

advancing good in my sphere of influence.

Morgan , 35
What does it mean to be a good citizen?

Misinformation/disinformation, AI, divisiveness, complacency

Agnes
What are the main challenges facing democracy today?

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

Mikaela , 34
What do you remember about the first time you voted?

Lack of education on the process

Tyrell , 42
What are the main challenges facing democracy today?

To acknowledge your being part of a greater whole.

Taryn , 34
What does it mean to be a good citizen?

To be a good neighbor means being welcoming to all

Emily , 32
What does it mean to be a good citizen?