By Grace Yurish
In June 2024, New Hampshire residents participated in a groundbreaking initiative to address the growing challenges of political polarization, declining trust in elections, and a perceived lack of representation. This effort, called the Citizens Assembly, was spearheaded by New Hampshire Together, a bipartisan nonprofit launched by the national organization, The People.
The Citizens Assembly began with a simple but powerful mission: to bring together residents of diverse political beliefs and backgrounds to deliberate on critical issues and craft actionable solutions. The project’s origins were rooted in months of preparation, including a 2023 statewide polling conducted by the University of New Hampshire Survey Center, input from a bipartisan panel of advisors, and listening sessions held in every county across the state.
“I listened for common ground,” says New Hampshire Bar Association Law Related Education Coordinator Martha Madsen, a former New Hampshire Together project director who facilitated the listening sessions. “I listened for the strengths that people perceive in their communities and also the things they were concerned about.”
Through these 18 sessions, more than 200 residents spanning political affiliations, socioeconomic statuses, and professions shared their thoughts on the issues that matter most to them.
Fifty delegates were selected from the listening sessions to mirror New Hampshire’s political and demographic diversity. The group included 15 liberals, 15 conservatives, and 20 moderates, reflecting the state’s varied perspectives. These delegates gathered for a three-day summit in June at the Institute of Politics at Saint Anselm College, bringing their lived experiences and opinions to the table.
“We were able to get a real mix of political viewpoints,” says New Hampshire Together Legislative Liaison and Interim Project Director Marjorie Porter. “That was critical because we wanted to make sure that the solutions people came up with had a broad appeal.”
The event was structured to foster collaboration and ensure respectful dialogue. Facilitators from organizations like New Hampshire Listens provided guidance on norms for discussion and strategies for tackling difficult topics.
“People were given helpful guidelines so they felt they could discuss things freely,” Madsen says. “It was very inspiring to see people in the room who, had it not been for this assembly, would have never met each other.”
The weekend began with activities to build trust and practice problem-solving. From there, delegates engaged in in-depth discussions, debating their views on topics such as election integrity, political representation, and polarization.
By the end of the weekend, the assembly had identified 10 potential policy proposals, which were then deliberated on and refined in smaller groups. On the final day, the large group reconvened to vote on these ideas, with four proposal recommendations receiving approval from more than 80 percent of the delegates.
Those four recommendations included the institution of an independent redistricting commission, the institution of a single ballot primary, improved voter education, and improved civics education for students from pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade.
New Hampshire Secretary of State David Scanlan (R), who spoke during the event, has already acted on one of these recommendations by enhancing a voter education program for all people of the Granite State to improve understanding and confidence of the voting process.
“I enjoyed the opportunity to participate in a bipartisan discussion on ways we can continually improve our elections and the public’s understanding of how they work,” Secretary Scanlan says of his experience.
The Citizens Assembly ended with a roll call and signing of a policy agenda including the four recommendations. Porter described the event as “hope-giving,” especially in today’s polarized climate.
“What makes this process different is that it doesn’t just identify problems,” Porter says. “It develops solutions and works to get them enacted.”
Elaina Bedio, of Hillsborough County, was one of the 50 delegates to participate in the Assembly.
“My favorite part was just being able to talk to people from different political perspectives – just being able to speak openly and productively with people who were not necessarily the same as me,” she says. “That part was really meaningful.”
For Bedio, the Assembly was a powerful antidote to the frustration many feel about the current state of political discourse.
“A lot of people feel disenfranchised,” she notes. “But this type of designated space for civic engagement makes people feel like they can have a meaningful impact.”
The Citizens Assembly did not end with the June summit. Since then, delegates and volunteers have been working closely with lawmakers to turn their recommendations into actionable policies. Subcommittees focused on issues like civics education, redistricting, and single-ballot voting are meeting regularly to conduct research and build legislative support.
The success of the Citizens Assembly offers a powerful reminder of what’s possible when people come together across divides.
“The more we can give people ways to have their voices heard, the better it is for the health of democracy,” Porter says. “It’s important for us to get involved because if we want the people in government to work for us, we have to let them know what we need and want.”
For many participants, the Assembly wasn’t just a policy-making exercise – it was a transformative experience. Delegates forged friendships and developed a newfound respect for opposing viewpoints.
“If you give people unbiased, factual information and the right structure, regular people can actually do this work,” Madsen reflects. “It’s possible to come together despite differences.”
Bedio echoes the sentiment stating, “The Citizens Assembly sets a precedent for civil conversation and sets a stage where people can participate productively, and I think that’s really important.”
As New Hampshire Together continues its work, the hope is that the Citizens Assembly will become a tradition, offering residents an ongoing platform to shape the state’s future. In a time when many feel disillusioned by politics, the Citizens Assembly offers a new model for strengthening democracy and rebuilding trust in the process.
“It provides the structure and those feelings of hope, belonging, and connection that we really need to nurture,” says Madsen.