Public hearings for today’s public.
At People Speak, we believe Public hearings are one of the purest forms of democracy, helping to ensure that all policy decisions are in the public interest. But the way we conduct public meetings hasn’t changed in hundreds of years—they are held at a particular time and place, so public participation is limited to those who have time and ability to be present... Until now.
Public hearings for today’s public.
At People Speak, we believe Public hearings are one of the purest forms of democracy, helping to ensure that all policy decisions are in the public interest. But the way we conduct public meetings hasn’t changed in hundreds of years—they are held at a particular time and place, so public participation is limited to those who have time and ability to be present... Until now.
Receive Notice
Citizens are notified of upcoming meetings and meeting items as usual, but they are directed to a city-branded website & URL.
Learn, Ask & Comment
Through a simple, intuitive interface they can review local issues, ask questions, and comment on their own time, or during the meeting.
Get Updates
They can track their comments online, sign up for automatic email updates, and access an archive of past meetings and decisions.
Public Meeting Only
Not Exactly
PUBLIC
In a study conducted in
Lakewood, CO, we found that most age groups were not accurately represented at public meetings.
PEOPLE SPEAK
More
Representative
With People Speak, public participation was significantly more representative of the population.
800% Increase in Participation
There was also a significant
increase in the overall quantity
of participation compared to
In-person only.
More Convenient
Schedule
Interestingly, the data showed the least popular time for the public to engage was exactly when most meetings are held.
*Ages <25 not included from all sources, excluded from comparison