This amendment establishes the principles and mechanisms of deliberative democracy to enhance the democratic process and ensure informed, inclusive, and reasoned decision-making by the people of the United States.

A National Citizens’ Assembly shall be convened annually to deliberate on major policy issues and proposed amendments to this Constitution. The Assembly shall consist of 500 citizens. The number of representatives per state shall be apportioned based on population, ensuring each state has at least four representatives, with the remaining seats allocated proportionally.

The National Citizens’ Assembly shall deliberate on matters referred to it by Congress, the President, or by petition of at least five percent of the total number of votes cast in the most recent Presidential election. The Assembly shall have access to relevant information, expert testimony, and diverse viewpoints to inform its deliberations.

The recommendations of the National Citizens’ Assembly shall be submitted to Congress and the President. If a recommendation pertains to a proposed amendment to this Constitution, it shall be submitted to a national referendum and shall be ratified if approved by a majority of voters in the referendum.

State and local governments are encouraged to establish their own citizens’ assemblies to deliberate on regional and local issues. These assemblies shall follow the principles of inclusivity, informed deliberation, reason-giving, and transparency.

Congress shall establish an independent Deliberative Democracy Commission to oversee the organization and operation of citizens’ assemblies at the national level, ensuring their independence, fairness, and transparency. The Commission shall also provide guidelines and support for state and local citizens’ assemblies.

All deliberations of the National Citizens’ Assembly and state and local citizens’ assemblies shall be conducted openly and shall be accessible to the public. The proceedings shall be recorded and made available digitally so that people can watch from anywhere. Key parts of the deliberations shall be timestamped, indexed, and tagged with keywords to facilitate easy searching and finding of specific parts of the deliberation. The results of these deliberations, including the reasons for recommendations, shall be published and made widely available.

Congress shall enact legislation to facilitate civic education and promote public awareness of the deliberative processes established by this amendment, ensuring that citizens are informed and prepared to participate effectively.

This amendment shall take effect immediately upon ratification. All provisions of the Constitution or of the laws of the United States which are inconsistent with this amendment are hereby repealed.

This amendment aims to integrate the principles of deliberative democracy into the U.S. Constitution, creating a structured process for citizens to engage in informed discussions on significant issues and to propose constitutional amendments. The goal is to make democratic decision-making more inclusive, reasoned, and reflective of public opinion.

Promotion of Civic Education and Public Awareness
Legislation supports civic education and public awareness initiatives to ensure citizens are well-prepared to participate in deliberative processes.

Establishment of Deliberative Democracy
It enhances the democratic process by ensuring decisions are informed, inclusive, and based on careful consideration by citizens.

Creation of a National Citizens’ Assembly
Each year, a National Citizens’ Assembly of 500 representatives (with proportional representation from each state) is convened to discuss major policy issues and constitutional amendments.

Deliberation on Major Issues
The Assembly examines issues referred by Congress, the President, or petitions signed by at least 5% of voters from the latest Presidential election, supported by access to relevant information, expert insights, and diverse perspectives.

Recommendations and Referendums
After deliberation, the Assembly submits recommendations to Congress and the President. If they propose a constitutional amendment, it is put to a national referendum and requires majority approval to pass.

Encouragement of State and Local Assemblies
The amendment encourages states and local governments to set up their own citizens’ assemblies to deliberate on regional issues, following similar principles of inclusivity and informed discussion.

Public Access and Transparency
All deliberations are open to the public, recorded, and published with digital access, indexed for easy reference. Summaries and rationales for recommendations are made widely available.

The National Citizens’ Assembly is made up of a diverse group of citizens from across the U.S., with representation designed to reflect the country’s population and regional diversity. The number of participants is determined based on the goals of the assembly and may vary, but members are chosen to ensure fair representation from each state. This approach helps include voices from different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives, promoting a well-rounded, inclusive deliberative process.

The Assembly deliberates on issues referred by Congress, the President, or through petitions from at least 5% of the voting population from the most recent Presidential election.

Assembly members consider information from various sources, including expert testimony and diverse perspectives. After deliberation, they make recommendations or propose amendments, which are then reviewed by Congress or put to a national referendum.

Yes, all discussions are made available to the public to ensure transparency. Proceedings are recorded and published digitally, often with indexed keywords and timestamps for easy navigation. This allows citizens to follow deliberations, review recommendations, and understand the reasons behind them, strengthening accountability and public trust in the process.

It includes measures to promote civic education and public awareness so that citizens understand and can engage with the deliberative processes effectively.

Deliberative democracy is a form of democracy that emphasizes informed, thoughtful discussion and debate among citizens before making decisions. It involves people engaging in structured dialogues to consider different viewpoints, weigh evidence, and arrive at reasoned conclusions, often on policy issues or proposed laws.

A Citizens’ Assembly is a group of citizens brought together to discuss specific issues and make recommendations. Members are selected to represent the diversity of the population, and they engage in structured discussions with access to balanced information and expert insights. After deliberating, they propose solutions or policies that are often sent to lawmakers or put to a referendum.

Deliberative democracy can address any issue of public importance, such as healthcare, climate change, electoral reform, or constitutional amendments. It is especially useful for complex or controversial issues that benefit from deeper, collaborative discussion rather than polarized debate.

Topics for deliberation in the National Citizens’ Assembly are chosen through several channels to ensure they reflect public interest and importance. Key issues may be:

1. Referred by Congress or the President – National leaders can refer significant policy issues or proposed constitutional amendments to the Assembly for citizen input.
2. Brought by Citizen Petition – Citizens themselves can initiate topics through a petition process. If at least 5% of voters from the most recent Presidential election sign a petition on a specific issue, it may be brought before the Assembly for deliberation.
3. Selected by Assembly Members – The Assembly may also identify and prioritize issues for discussion based on their relevance to public well-being, current events, or emerging societal challenges.

These pathways ensure that the Assembly addresses matters that are timely, relevant, and reflective of both governmental priorities and public concerns.

Deliberative democracy is important because it creates opportunities for informed and inclusive decision-making. It encourages citizens to engage with issues on a deeper level, helps reduce polarization by fostering understanding among people with different viewpoints, and often leads to more thoughtful and sustainable policies.

Participants in deliberative democracy processes receive balanced information and access to expert opinions. They engage in discussions with other citizens to examine evidence, ask questions, and hear diverse perspectives. This preparation helps participants make decisions that are both informed and carefully considered.

Deliberative democracy promotes deeper understanding, reduces polarization, and encourages collaboration among citizens. Decisions made through deliberation are often more widely accepted because people feel they had a say in the process, leading to stronger social cohesion and legitimacy for policies.

Deliberative democracy has been used successfully in countries like Ireland, where Citizens’ Assemblies have deliberated on major issues like same-sex marriage and abortion laws. Other countries, including Ireland, Canada, Australia, and Belgium, have also used deliberative processes for issues such as electoral reform, climate policy, and urban planning.

Yes, new members are reselected at regular intervals to ensure fresh perspectives and diverse representation. Typically, members serve for one term, often a year, after which a new group is selected. This rotation prevents stagnation, encourages continuous public engagement, and allows more citizens to participate over time.

Yes, members are compensated for their time and contributions. Compensation is designed to allow a broad range of citizens to participate, including those who might otherwise face financial or personal obstacles. This support may cover wages for time spent, travel, and other related expenses, ensuring that all selected individuals can participate fully.

The National Citizens’ Assembly may meet in a central location, such as Washington, D.C., or rotate locations across the country to encourage regional engagement. Alternatively, meetings can be held virtually to reduce barriers to participation. In either case, the goal is to facilitate accessible, organized discussions where members can engage thoughtfully.

Yes, the structure allows for the possibility of convening multiple assemblies, each focused on specific issues or topics. For example, separate assemblies could be formed to address areas like healthcare, climate change, and electoral reform, allowing for specialized, in-depth deliberation on each subject. This approach ensures that each assembly can concentrate fully on its designated topic, drawing on relevant expertise and perspectives tailored to that issue. It also helps manage workload and fosters more thorough, focused recommendations on complex policy areas.

Such specialized assemblies would follow similar principles of inclusivity, informed deliberation, and transparency to maintain consistency in the deliberative process.

Assembly sessions could be scheduled if pressing issues arise. An assembly could be convened for a specific topic at a specific time. Similar to jury duty, and assembly’s makeup and schedule is dictated by the issue at hand. Each session allows members to discuss major policy issues, deliberate on amendments, and make recommendations that reflect a considered view of the public.

While Congress is responsible for making laws and addressing national issues, a National Citizens’ Assembly serves as a complementary mechanism to enhance democratic representation and public engagement. Here’s why it’s beneficial:

1. Broadening Representation and Reducing Polarization
   Congress is influenced by party dynamics and electoral pressures, which can lead to partisan gridlock and polarized decision-making. A Citizens’ Assembly brings together everyday citizens from diverse backgrounds to discuss issues outside of these pressures, fostering more collaborative and less polarized solutions.
2. Increasing Public Trust and Legitimacy
   Decisions made with public input from a representative body can improve trust in the political process. When citizens see others like themselves deliberating openly and thoughtfully, they are more likely to believe in and support the outcomes, even if they don’t align perfectly with their views.
3. Providing Informed, Reflective Input
   Citizens in the Assembly are given time, information, and resources to understand complex issues deeply, allowing for thoughtful, informed recommendations. This kind of deliberation can provide Congress with valuable perspectives that go beyond polling or lobbying, making policies more reflective of public priorities and values.
4. Empowering Citizens Beyond Voting
   Voting alone doesn’t allow citizens to shape policy directly or engage in the intricacies of lawmaking. A Citizens’ Assembly empowers people to participate meaningfully in shaping policy, reinforcing the democratic principle that government is by the people, for the people.
5. Addressing Issues that Congress May Avoid
   Some important issues may be difficult for Congress to address due to political sensitivities or vested interests. A Citizens’ Assembly can help surface and discuss these issues without political risk, providing Congress with clear, representative recommendations on topics they might otherwise avoid.

In short, a National Citizens’ Assembly is not a replacement for Congress but a supportive institution that enriches democratic decision-making by involving citizens in a more direct and deliberative way.

No, the Assembly’s recommendations are not binding on Congress, but they carry significant influence as they reflect the views of a representative group of citizens. Congress and the President are expected to carefully consider these recommendations. For proposed constitutional amendments, however, the Assembly can trigger a national referendum if a recommendation receives widespread public support, allowing voters to directly approve or reject the proposal.