The Institute for Democratic Engagement & Accountability (IDEA) is a collaborative, multidisciplinary research institute at The Ohio State University with a global network of partners.
For two decades, we have designed, implemented, and evaluated evidence-based solutions for strengthening democracy at every level of government, across the United States and around the world.
We are grounded in a simple idea: when citizens and elected officials engage in civil, representative, and focused conversations, mutual respect grows, decisions improve, and democracy gets stronger.
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How a Deliberative Town Hall Works
Our core method is the Deliberative Town Hall. We bring together a representative group of citizens to engage directly with their elected officials on a single issue.
Everyone receives the same reliable, nonpartisan information in advance, so participants arrive grounded in the topic and able to contribute on equal footing. A trusted, neutral moderator — often a journalist, civil society leader, or academic — guides the conversation.
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Representative
A broad cross-section of constituents is recruited to participate.
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Focused
Each conversation centers on one issue, allowing participants to move beyond talking points.
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Informed
Everyone receives the same reliable, nonpartisan information before the event.
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Direct
A neutral moderator guides a candid, real-time conversation between citizens and their elected official.
The format complements other democratic innovations, including Citizens’ Assemblies, and can be used to set priorities, consult citizens before a decision, or hold officials accountable afterward.
IDEA has conducted more than 50 Deliberative Town Halls, bringing this model to communities in the United States and around the world.
Explore the IDEA Toolkit →