Watch Akron residents be selected live to serve as delegates for Akron's first Civic Assembly on Housing.

If you volunteer, submit an idea, or apply for the Civic Assembly, you’re invited to Unify Akron’s Civic Lottery!

Join the party as community members are selected live, through a fun and transparent lottery, to become delegates for Akron’s first Civic Assembly on Housing. You’ll witness the random selection in real time and see how this new democratic process ensures a fair and representative group of Akron residents.

Unlike traditional town halls, the Civic Assembly brings together Akron residents chosen by lottery to reflect the full diversity of our city—including different ages, races, incomes, and life experiences. Over several weeks, these Assembly members (delegates) will learn from expert facilitators, explore the complexities of housing in Akron, and develop thoughtful recommendations to be presented to the mayor, city council, local leaders, and the public. The mayor and city council have already committed to considering these recommendations as they make decisions and implement solutions.

How is it a random AND representative lottery?

Unify Akron uses a well-tested process called stratified random selection. First, a huge pool of residents is invited to participate through mail, text, phone, and outreach in partnership with existing organizations and networks. Then, all of those responses are grouped by key characteristics like age, gender, race, income, education level, political affiliation, and/or neighborhood.

From each of these groups, participants are randomly selected (like a lottery) in proportions that match the broader community. This ensures that the final assembly isn’t just randomly selected—it’s representatively selected. The result is a group that reflects the full diversity of the community, including people who are often left out of public decision-making.

It uses an open-source software called Panelot.

Quick notes on the schedule:

4:30 pm – Community Building & Refreshments
5:30 pm – Civic Lottery Presentation

Come as you are. No special dress code. If you need transportation support, please email info@unifyakron.org.

Hometown Hall at House 330 will be transformed into a live lottery game show