05/24/2026
“Elected officials say civic assemblies offer them a more robust understanding of where the public stands on a complex local issue, while participants say these processes give them a sense of direct participation in governance – and an appreciation of how their communities can work together.
“It always seems to happen when you sit down at a table and bring lived experiences and solve a problem together – it’s like magic. This is a table apart from yelling, from politics as usual – it’s its own environment,” said Wayne Liebman, co-founder of Public Democracy LA, a non-profit that helped spark the city’s recent assembly.
“People know they’re in a special place – they’re in the democracy place. They’re going to be listened to. When people are treated that way, they step up.” “
US cities are turning to randomly selected residents to help resolve divisive policy debates
