America in One Room: Pennsylvania
Announcement
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Pennsylvania Voters Bridge Deep Political Divides, Reduce Polarization in Groundbreaking Deliberative Polling® Event
From June 5–8, 2025, a representative sample of Pennsylvania registered voters gathered in Philadelphia to deliberate on the future of their state and country. Participants came from communities across Pennsylvania — from small towns to large cities, from the East to the West — and spent four days engaging in informed, respectful conversations about some of the most pressing policy issues of our time: immigration, the economy, healthcare, and democracy.
This historic event was a collaboration between Helena, the Stanford Deliberative Democracy Lab, and Public Opinion Strategies. It builds on the nationally recognized America in One Room series, which began in 2019 when a national sample of Americans convened in Texas. In 2024, the series continued with America in One Room: The Youth Vote, bringing first-time voters together in Washington, D.C. Now, with America in One Room: Pennsylvania, residents of this pivotal swing state participated in face-to-face deliberations, reflecting on the policies that directly impact both their state and the nation.
The event reaffirmed the importance of thoughtful, inclusive public dialogue in strengthening democratic decision-making and fostering mutual understanding in an increasingly divided political landscape.
Read more about the project by downloading the EXECUTIVE SUMMARY.
DETAILED REPORTS
By Party ID - Participants at Wave 1 vs Wave 2
Differences and Differences at Wave 1 vs Wave 2
Participants Evaluations
MEDIA COVERAGE
After deliberation, Pennsylvanians want better rural healthcare, federal judicial reform and supporting trade school training witf, 7/9/25
The promise of strangers talking democracy Pennsylvania Capital-Star, 7/9/25
Some good news about political polarization: It can change POLITICO, 7/2/25
How would ordinary voters resolve Pennsylvania’s big election policy debates? Pennsylvania Capital-Star, 6/13/25
175 Pennsylvanians meet in Philadelphia with goal to guide state policy witf, 6/12/25
175 Pennsylvanians meet in Philadelphia with goal to guide state policy Lancaster Online, 6/12/25
Sticker shock | Scene Through the Lens Philadelphia Inquirer, 6/9/25 PDF
Pennsylvania Perspective for Monday, JDSupra, 6/9/25
Hillary Clinton makes surprise visit to Philly, talks foreign policy at forum with Pa. voters, whyy, 6/9/25
Hillary Clinton says she’s not sure if America will remain the world’s top superpower Florida Phoenix, Missouri Independent, News Facts Network, WFMZ, 6/9/25
Hillary Clinton discusses diplomacy and defense at America in One Room/Pennsylvania event in Center City The Philadelphia Inquirer, 6/8/25 PDF
House Speaker Joanna McClinton joins Q&A with Pennsylvania voters during America in One Room event whyy, 6/8/25
Gov. Shapiro visits Philly to kick off ‘deliberative polling’ experiment, designed to engage voters across partisan gaps WHYY PBS NPR, 6/6/25
Shapiro talks democracy and citizens ‘giving a damn’ at America in One Room/Pennsylvania event in Center City The Philadelphia Inquirer, 6/6/25 PDF
Audio/Radio/Podcast
WITF [Audio]: “Deliberative Polling” comes to PA. And deep dives into the world of ticks and cicadas. (6/16/25)
- Spotlights participant experiences and appearances by state lawmakers, while noting that the event was funded by an unknown wealthy sponsor.
WHYY [Audio] (6/9/25)
WHYY [Audio] (6/9/25)
WHYY [Audio] (6/8/25)
WHYY [Audio] (6/8/25)
WHYY [Audio] (6/8/25)
WHYY [Audio] (6/6/25)
Radio
- WHYY [Audio] (7/14/25)
- Radio piece from Emily Previty (PCS), including sentiments from participants and data results.
- WITF The Morning Agenda: Results from PA’s America in One Room deliberative forum. (7/14/25)
- Readout of results on WITF morning show.
Podcast
- Politics of the United States (POTUS) (~20min)
- Podcast interview with Jim
VIDEOS
Voters gather is PA in project to bridge political differences, CNN Politics in America
Notable Socials
University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School (@pennlaw; 16K Followers) (6/10/25) Claire Finkelstein (@COFinkelstein), a law and philosophy professor at the University of Pennsylvania Law School, participated in the America in One Room’s event in Center City Philadelphia. @whyy reports on the event.Claire Finkelstein (@COFinkelstein; 4,472 Followers) (6/10/25) It was an honor to participate in this important exercise by Stanford Center for Deliberative Democracy. I very much enjoyed our town hall style conversation and the deep dive into some creative suggestions for improving the lives of Pennsylvanians.
Sy Snyder (@PoliticsPA; 14.5K Followers) (6/9/25)🌞Good Monday Morning Democrats’ Big Bet on the Big Beautiful Bill. PA Stares Down Bumpy Budget Battle as Shapiro Faces Swirl of IssuesMcClinton Joins Q&A With PA Voters During America in One Room Event. U.S. Open Offers Fans Full Plate of Culinary Options at Oakmont CC
John Cole (@John_Cole; 2,645 Followers) (6/9/25)Former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton made a guest appearance in Philadelphia on Sunday morning to participate in a Q&A session at America in One Room/Pennsylvania. Clinton said she’s not sure if America will remain the world’s top superpower.
Philadelphia Inquirer Politics (@PoliticsINQ; 250.7K Followers) (6/8/25) Hillary Clinton discusses diplomacy and defense at America in One Room/Pennsylvania event in Center City
WHYY News (@WHYYNews; 43.7K Followers) (6/8/25) Speaker of the Pennsylvania state House of Representatives, Rep. Joanna McClinton, joined the America in One Room project held in Philadelphia over the weekend.
Philadelphia Inquirer Politics (@PoliticsINQ; 250.7K Followers) (6/5/25) Shapiro talks democracy and citizens ‘giving a damn’ at America in One Room/Pennsylvania event in Center City
The Philadelphia Inquirer (@PhillyInquirer; 463.3K Followers) (6/5/25) Shapiro talks democracy and citizens ‘giving a damn’ at America in One Room/Pennsylvania event in Center City