Town Hall Seattle's video: Claudia Chwalisz with Rich Smith and Brandi Kruse: The Future of Democracy

What would the world look like if we shifted political and legislative power to everyday people - on the premise that everyone is worthy and capable of being involved in collective decision-making? Claudia Chwalisz seeks to answer that question. She believes another democratic future is possible and strives to create a more just, joyful, and collaborative future where everyone has meaningful power to shape their societies. By researching, implementing and reporting on new forms of representative democratic institutions, such as permanent citizens' councils, where representation passes through sortition (selection by lottery), Claudia hopes to enable everyone to explore how institutions can adopt new forms of democratic process. Claudia Chwalisz is an author, activist, and entrepreneur. She is the Founder and CEO of DemocracyNext, a research and action institute working to shift political and legislative power to everyday people through empowered Citizens’ Assemblies. Brandi Kruse is an Emmy Award-winning journalist and political commentator. After nearly a decade with the FOX affiliate in Seattle, she left to launch unDivided, an independent political show and podcast that gives a voice to Americans who feel silenced by the fringes of both parties. Rich Smith is an associate editor at The Stranger, where he writes about politics, books, and performance.