What is a Citizens' Assembly?

A structured way to bring informed public judgment to questions that matter.

A Citizens' Assembly brings together a representative group of regular people — chosen by lottery — and gives them the time, the information, and the support they need to think hard about a shared question. Together, they hear from experts and stakeholders, work through tradeoffs, and produce recommendations grounded in what they've learned.

This isn't a survey or a focus group. It's a structured deliberation, designed to bring real public judgment to complex public questions.


Used worldwide. Now in Maine.

Citizens' Assemblies have been used in over 800 cases worldwide — Ireland, France, Canada, the UK, and more — to bring informed public reasoning to difficult questions.  They've helped countries make progress on climate policy, abortion rights, end-of-life care, and constitutional reform. Assemblies are making their way to the US, with projects launching in New Hampshire, Connecticut, Utah, and many more. 

Maine is adapting the format for one of our state's most important questions: where should education go from here?

What will delegates do?

Delegates will gather for two days in-person in Bangor, ME and one-half day virtually to learn, deliberate, and decide. Learn about education in Maine; deliberate on the issues, challenges, and future visions; and decide which actions legislators and our next governor should prioritize on education. You'll also get to meet legislators, community orgniazation leaders, and other experts informally and through panels and discussions.

You'll be part of something real. Recommendations from this Assembly go to Maine legislators and to candidates running for governor. Lawmakers from both parties have already committed to working with the delegates' priorities in strategic sessions in Fall 2026, supported by MEPRI at University of Southern Maine.

You'll be supported. Delegates who attend all sessions receive a $750 stipend. Meals and accommodations are provided during the in-person sessions in Bangor. Travel support is available. If the way you learn best isn't already built in, CEPARE will work with you. Students will have access to a dedicated teacher to specifically support their participation.

You don't need any special background. Delegates don't need to be experts. You'll receive briefings from researchers, hear from educators and community leaders, and work with materials prepared specifically for the Assembly. A variety of learning approaches are built in. No experience necessary!

You'll meet Mainers from across the state. Delegates come from all 16 counties and from every age group, background, and political perspective. The deliberation itself is one of the most distinctive parts of the experience — working through hard questions with people you might not otherwise meet.