Conversations in Conflict Studies

"Beyond Politics as Usual: The Reclaim November Ohio! Project in Ohio’s 16th Congressional District" Jefferson Action's Kyle Bozentko and Jim Meffert will outline the Reclaim November Ohio! Project, a Citizens Election Forum using the “Citizens Jury” method of deliberative democracy. In a highly volatile 2012 congressional contest between incumbents of opposite parties, the Reclaim November Ohio! Project amplified an informed and empowered voice of voters into the campaign narrative by engaging the candidates and working with media to move away from the standard horse-race and divisive rhetoric towards substantive dialogue on key economic issues. This conversation will highlight the successes and challenges of engaging a representative microcosm of voters, along with congressional candidates and the media, in substantive discussion of economic issues that matter most to voters during the peak moments of a highly contentious and otherwise rancorous 2012 election cycle.