Voice of the People’s Vox Populi newsletter updates you on efforts to give the American people a more effective voice in the policymaking process through innovative methods and technologies, as well as keeping you informed on approaches to public consultation used by others around the world.

If you would like to learn more about public consultation in policymaking and government, subscribe to Voice of the People to receive future editions of the Vox Populi newsletter.


Vox Populi Archive

ISSUE #15 – April 2023

  • Public Consultation on Minimum Wage Garners National TV Attention
  • PPC Study on Term Limits Featured in Southeast Regional Outlets
  • New House Administration Subcommittee on Modernization
  • Try a Policymaking Simulation: Minimum Wage
  • Improving Understanding of Public Opinion
  • Public Consultation Around the World: Before Summit for Democracy, Organizations Issue Declaration Endorsing Public Consultation

ISSUE #14 – March 2023

  • Public Consultation in RealClearPolitics & Newsweek: Finding Solutions by Listening Instead of Point-Scoring
  • Study Finds Americans In Favor of Congressional Term Limits
  • Try a Policymaking Simulation: Term Limits for Members of Congress
  • Public Consultation Around the World: Armenia hosts its First Citizens Assembly

ISSUE #13 – January / February 2023

  • 117th Congress passes bills with large bipartisan public support
  • Try a Policymaking Simulation: Postal Service & Prison Phone Call Reform
  • Partnership with Democracy App, ActiVote
  • Public Consultation Around the World: First permanent Citizens Panel on climate change was launched in Belgium
  • Social Security: The renewed debate over America’s largest entitlement program

ISSUE #12 – December 2022

  • New Study Reveals Large Bipartisan Support for Restricting When Former Government Officials Can Lobby
  • Try a Policymaking Simulation: Lobbying Restrictions
  • Public Consultation Around the World: Brazil has been at the forefront of digital democracy
  • Data Analysis Deep Dive: Who Supports a 15-week abortion ban?

ISSUE #11October 2022

  • New Study on Abortion Policies Reveals Surprising Common Ground
  • Data Analysis Deep Dive: Views In States with Abortion Bans
  • Exciting New Partnership with Democracy App, ActiVote
  • Try a Policymaking Simulation: Government Role in Abortion
  • Threat to Democracy: Disconnect Between Public Will and Public Policy
  • Public Consultation Around the World: Citizen-Led Planning in an Italian City

ISSUE #10July / August 2022

  • NYT Story on Public Consultation Spreads Hope for Democracy
  • “How Do We Fix It” Podcast Features VOP and Public Consultation
  • Strong Bipartisan Majority Favors Funding for Mental Health Professionals to Respond to Mental Health-Related 911 Calls, Rather than Police
  • Try a Policymaking Simulation: Mental Health Diversion
  • VOP Spotlighted in Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress Hearing
  • Public Consultation Around the World: Digital Social Innovation Empowering Democracy in Taiwan

ISSUE #9May / June 2022

  • VOP Provides Expertise at Congressional Committee Roundtable
  • Washington Post Exclusive: Expansive Bipartisan Common Ground on Net Neutrality
  • Try a Policymaking Simulation: Net Neutrality
  • Public Consultation Around the World: Citizen Panels on Future of Europe

ISSUE #8April 2022

  • Should Congress Have Greater Power over Use of Military Force & Arms Sales?
  • Our Op-Ed in USA Today on the Vast Common Ground
  • Try a Policymaking Simulation: Congressional War Powers
  • Public Consultation Around the World: Ohio Citizens’ Jury Petition

ISSUE #7February / March 2022

  • ​​​​​​​Broad Bipartisan Support for US Engagement in European Security
  • Try a Policymaking Simulation: US & NATO
  • Public Consultation Around the World: Council of Europe Looks to Deliberative Democracy in Georgia
  • Data Deep Dive: Ambivalence Towards US Membership in NATO

ISSUE #6January 2022

  • Data Analysis Deep Dive: The Public Trust Deficit Plaguing Democracies
  • NYC Solitary Confinement Clash Highlights Public Support For Limits
  • Try a Policymaking Simulation: Solitary Confinement
  • Public Consultation Around the World: Irish Citizen Assembly on Drug Policy

ISSUE #5December 2021

  • The Public Can Be a Stabilizing Force Across Administrations
  • Try a Policymaking Simulation: Nuclear Weapons Policy
  • Data Analysis Deep Dive: Public Agenda & USA Today Release New Common Ground Report
  • Public Consultation Around the World: World’s First Global Citizens Assembly

ISSUE #4November 2021

  • Unifying Approach to Discuss Politics During the Holidays
  • Net Neutrality Debate Back in the News
  • Try a Policymaking Simulation: Net Neutrality
  • Data Analysis Deep Dive: Our Climate Analysis in The Washington Post
  • Public Consultation Around the World: National deliberation in US reveals common ground on climate change policies

ISSUE #3October 2021

  • Public Views of 33 Reconciliation Budget Proposals 
  • Nuclear Guardrails on President Garner Public Support
  • Data Analysis Deep Dive: Young Republican Voters’ Views on Budget Reconciliation Proposals
  • Public Consultation Around the World: Citizen Assembly in Oregon addresses path back to normalcy after Covid-19
  • Try a Policymaking Simulation: Paid Family & Medical Leave

ISSUE #2 August 2021

  • Voters Supported Green Bank Nixed from Infrastructure Deal
  • New US Study Finds Widespread Support for Public Consultation
  • Public Consultation Around the World: Citizens’ Jury in Jersey Deliberates on Reforming Assisted Dying Laws
  • Data Analysis Deep Dive: Support for a Green Bank in Energy-Producing Districts
  • Try a Policymaking Simulation: Carbon Fee & Rebate

ISSUE #1 – June 2021

  • Prolonged Congressional Negotiations on Police Reform Proposals 
  • Engaging Citizens in Democracy
  • Data Analysis Deep Dive: Republican Views on Qualified Immunity
  • Try a Policymaking Simulation: Police Reform
  • Public Consultation Around the World: Citizens’ Assemblies in Scotland