Democracy by Lottery: The Rise of Citizens’ Assemblies

Democracy Assembly in LA (Photo – democracy.community)

Citizens’ Assemblies are restoring trust in government.

By Jennifer Hall Lee

A Citizens’ Assembly is a group of residents selected through a lottery-based sortition process. Once assembled, these individuals deliberate together to develop solutions for issues facing their community.

The sortition process is designed to produce a group that reflects the full diversity of the community. At the heart of a Citizens’ Assembly is the principle that people have the right to shape their collective future.

One example comes from Petaluma, California, where in 2022, 36 residents were selected by lottery to decide the future of a 55‑acre parcel of land. Delegates heard from experts tasked with presenting factual information, deliberated over several sessions, and ultimately delivered a report of recommendations to the city council. Those recommendations are now being implemented.

Citizens’ Assemblies have gained significant traction in Europe. In Ireland, a 2016 assembly deliberated on abortion law. In France, a 2019 assembly examined strategies for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. In some cases, the assembly’s final report is advisory; in others, it is legally binding.

A more local example emerged in Los Angeles. After several city council members were recorded making controversial remarks, the city created the Los Angeles City Charter Civic Assembly to propose revisions to the city charter. After the assembly completed its work, the city council voted in March 2026 to adopt nine of its recommendations.

Citizens’ Assemblies can be convened on nearly any topic: bike lanes, housing and houselessness, urban trees, public spaces, transportation, walkability, climate goals, and more.

A common question is how people with differing political views manage to work together in a deliberative body. The answer is simple and timeless: they find common ground. Because the assembly is selected by lottery, elected officials and other specific groups may be excluded, and the final group reflects the community’s diversity rather than its political factions.

While the sortition process requires funding and is typically organized by an independent body or a city council, the power ultimately rests with the assembly members themselves.

Citizens’ Assemblies have been shown to increase trust in government and reaffirm the belief that communities can shape their own solutions. As people in the United States confront challenges in our democracy, both nationally and locally, Citizens’ Assemblies offer a promising path forward.

Jennifer Hall Lee, PUSD Board Trustee, speaking as a private citizen.