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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

“Your voice is heard”

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

“I’m looking forward to doing so”

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

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

Trista , 18
Why is voting important to you?

“Works to make the country better”

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

“Lack of diversity in power”

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

“I can be part of a group”

Maddeine , 18
Why is voting important to you?

“Misinformation or contradictory information”

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

“Have some compassion and empathy!”

Tara , 47
What does it mean to be a good citizen?

“listen to the voices of the people”

Mike , 16
Why is voting important to you?

“I rushed to get my paperwork”

Nancy , 23
What do you remember about the first time you voted?

“I felt so grown up”

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

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

Maribel , 57
Why is voting important to you?

“follow the rules”

Lavanya , 33
What does it mean to be a good citizen?

“it was a thrill”

Michael , 71
What do you remember about the first time you voted?

“corruption”

N.
What are the main challenges facing democracy today?

“Careful, planned prejudice”

Evo , 15
What are the main challenges facing democracy today?

“Not being truthful”

Stan , 77
What are the main challenges facing democracy today?

“The internet is making us childish!”

Anonymous , 40
What are the main challenges facing democracy today?