Democracy is more than just voting. It is one important way to participate in our democracy, but not the only way. We may not know the election results on November 5th. Election administration is facilitated by localities, local election boards, and state departments of elections. There may be challenges to the results. Be patient, but persistent and willing to ask questions.

• Reflect on your own biases, and assumptions and be willing to authentically share how they influence your perceptions of or reactions to difficult issues.
• Why do we feel so polarized? What stops you from talking about politics or difficult issues?
• What would encourage you to really talk with people you disagree with?
• What values animate your believes on difficult issues? How might these values be different than others on the same topic?

Encourage collaboration over competition. Student reasoning improves when alternative viewpoints can be considered and engaged, and deliberation can help overcome polarization and reduce extremism.

• Everyone’s viewpoint counts equally.
• One person shares at a time. Leave space and time for everyone to talk.
• If you are hurt or harmed, say so and say why.
• Individuals can disagree, but don’t personalize it; critique the ideas, reasoning, and evidence, not the person
• There may be different perspectives in this conversation and we can talk respectfully even if we don’t all agree.
• This is not about changing minds. It’s about listening and developing empathy and understanding.
• Avoid judgment and focus on listening with curiosity and for understanding.
• Confidentiality: what happens in the discussion, stays in the discussion.
• Consider adopting a "brave space" that allows people to take risks and speak candidly, but allows people to respond when it hurts their feelings and share why.

• Admit there are problems with political and partisan divisions in our country that make it difficult to solve public problems (e.g. climate change, immigration, etc.). Ask students for their ideas for addressing political divisions and for solving public problems.
• Students are knowledgeable about what is happening, but don’t necessarily see politics and outcomes reflecting their knowledge, positionality, perspectives, or backgrounds. Ask them what they would like to see from elected leaders and from our government and for their ideas of how we might get there.

• What did the election mean to you?
• If you participated in the election, how did you feel about it? Why?
• Can you think of reasons why some people might be disappointed in the election outcome?
• Can you think of reasons why some people might be happy about the election outcome?
• How might those who have been historically underrepresented, marginalized, or minoritized feel about participating in the election or about the results? How can you uplift and support their perspectives and voices?
• What are ways you would like to see elected leaders work together on issues facing our community, nation, or world?
• What are some public issues that are important to you? How can you and others address those issues by engaging different levels of government and connecting with others in their community?
• What will you do to ensure we address issues facing our community, nation, or world? Offer some ideas: creating art, getting involved in student - like SGA - or community organizations, volunteering, providing research or expertise, uplift voices that are traditionally underrepresented, marginalized or minoritized, joining protests or petitions, writing public comments and attending local board and commission meetings on issues they care about, etc.).
• What barriers or challenges are there to addressing issues facing our community, nation and world? How can we overcome them?
• What is something that inspires you for the future of our democracy?
• What kind of reforms would like to see to make our democracy more just and inclusive?

• JMU Libraries is a wonderful source for finding credible information. Check out their "Take Control of Your Media Consumption" series about media literacy, including sections on spotting news bias, and evaluating data and video sources.
• Ask students to reflect on how and from where they got news about the election.
• Show examples of how media sources can bias our perceptions of politics, elected officials, and trust in political institutions.

If you'd like to host a facilitated conversation, email the Madison Center and our Facilitation Fellows may be able to help you.

• We Are Madison's Legacy: Facilitated, paired conversations about difficult issues
• Self-facilitation conversation starters from Living Room Conversations
• World Cafe Method

• Counseling Center 
• Timely Care for 24/7 support 
• Dean of Students Office 

This guide was prepared to support faculty, staff, Resident Advisors, and students to engage in constructive conversations. We welcome suggestions of additional ideas and resources at civic@jmu.edu.