Deliberation Still Matters
At the recent Plainfield school district meeting, residents decisively rejected a petition to adopt the SB2 form of governance. While proponents had framed the change in terms of access and voter inclusion, several concerns about the system deserve attention.
Separating deliberation from voting tends to weaken the deliberative process itself. In towns that adopt SB2, far fewer residents attend the session where warrant articles are discussed and amended. Voting occurs later by ballot, often without the benefit of shared discussion, clarification, or exposure to competing viewpoints. Citizens still vote, but they do so in a more isolated and less informed way. Ironically, the system may also create new barriers for those who value deliberation, requiring participation in two separate events rather than one.
SB2 can also make deliberative sessions vulnerable to targeted manipulation. Because attendance is typically low, organized groups can mobilize a small but decisive presence to reshape proposals before they reach the ballot. Croydon experienced precisely this when a 2022 deliberative session slashed the school budget dramatically. Days later, voters arrived at the polls only to find themselves choosing between approving or rejecting a budget that could not adequately fund the schools.
At a national moment when many democratic institutions feel increasingly thin, I was encouraged to see Plainfield residents speak in defense of our town meeting system and affirm the value of deliberation in local governance.