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NextGen Roundtable: Decision 2026 

July 8-11, 2026 | Washington, D.C.

A partnership between Close Up, the Stanford University Deliberative Democracy Lab, and Generation Lab.

Ahead of the midterms, we’re convening a deliberation of first-time voters.  

When the midterm elections arrive on November 3, 2026, young Americans will face more than one important choice. Can they surpass the record 28 percent nationwide turnout among 18-29-year-olds in the 2018 midterms? Will young voters make decisions that are thoughtfully considered and informed by a wide range of perspectives other than their own?  

From July 8-11, Close Up, the Stanford University Deliberative Democracy Lab (DDL), and Generation Lab will host NextGen Roundtable: Decision 2026, a large-scale experiment in democracy launched through our work on 2024’s America in One Room: The Youth Vote. We’re convening a nationally representative and scientific sample of first-time voters from across the country to listen to each other and deliberate key policy issues in a reasoned and mutually respectful way.  

Sign up to receive more information about how you can be selected to attend!

 

ABOUT

What is NextGen Roundtable: Decision 2026? Learn More >

PARTICIPATE

Will you be 18 and a first-time voter in 2026? Learn how you can participate! Learn More >

DONATE

Help make sure students from your community have the chance to attend! Learn More >

BECOME A PARTNER

Join our nationwide coalition of universities and other partner organizations. Learn More >

VOLUNTEER

Help facilitate small-group deliberation and civil discourse among first-time voters! Learn More >

Media

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About the Partners 

About Close Up
About the Stanford University Deliberative Democracy Lab
About Generation Lab
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