Row edge-slant Shape Decorative svg added to top

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

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

Adyant , 12
What do you remember about the first time you voted?

“He dressed in a suit every time he voted”

Albert , 74
What do you remember about the first time you voted?

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

Annie , 63
What do you remember about the first time you voted?

“I felt compelled to vote for my parents choice”

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

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

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

“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?

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

Michael , 29
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?

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

Karen , 75
Why is voting important to you?

“It gives me a say”

Anonymous , 75
Why is voting important to you?

“Making your community a better place”

Andrea , 11
What does it mean to be a good citizen?

“Pays attention and participates”

Anonymous
What does it mean to be a good citizen?

“environmental agenda”

Wale , 36
What do you remember about the first time you voted?

“To give back to the community”

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