Ideas for Change

What do you want for Schenectady?

Vote on Ideas

Submitted14h ago
4 votes

Reduce school taxes for seniors over 65 to zero

Ideas for Change is an independent platform for community members to identify the most promising ideas for improving Schenectady. The most broadly supported ideas will be discussed by residents and delivered to the Mayor.

  1. Now – August 3, 2026

    Voting Open

    Community members vote on ideas submitted by their neighbors to surface the most promising proposals.

  2. Wed Sep 9

    Attend the Live Community Discussion

    The most broadly supported ideas will be discussed by a demographically representative group of Schenectady residents. Participants will receive $100 in compensation for the 2 hour commitment.

    Sign up
  3. After the discussion

    Bring it to leaders

    The discussion produces a set of policy recommendations with broad public backing. Results are published openly and delivered to policymakers.

FAQs

How will the ideas be used?

The most broadly supported ideas will be discussed by a representative group of Schenectady residents in a type of community meeting called a deliberation. The solutions that emerge from that discussion will be delivered to the mayor and other city leaders.

How do you define the most "unifying" ideas?

Unifying ideas are those that receive broad support across different demographic groups and political viewpoints. We use statistical methods to identify which ideas bring people together rather than divide them.

How many times can I vote?

We encourage you to vote on lots of ideas to see what others in your community want to change. Each person gets one vote per idea.

Can I vote from different devices?

No, you can only vote or add ideas on the device and web browser that you originally used. This ensures every voice is counted fairly.

Why do you need my Zip Code?

We are asking participants to provide a Zip Code to ensure that the ideas and vote come from Schenectady residents. We don't share individual information with the city.

When does voting end?

Voting ends on August 3, 2026. After this date, the most supported ideas will be selected for discussion at a live deliberation.

Is Ideas for Change a project of the city of Schenectady?

No, Ideas for Change is an independent platform powered by Change.org. We are working with the Mayor's office to ensure that the community's best ideas are heard and considered for action.

Can I participate anonymously?

Yes. When asked for your name, email, and Zip Code, you can tap a box to post anonymously.

Why are participants paid to take part in community dialogues?

We offer a stipend to participants because meaningful participation takes time, preparation, and focused attention. In some communities, unpaid civic meetings can risk reflecting those who have the most flexibility to show up. Offering a stipend helps make participation feasible for residents with different schedules, responsibilities, and life circumstances. The stipend is the same for all participants and is not tied to opinions, agreement, or outcomes.