Third Congress | Civic Congress

The Third Continental Congress

2026

Historical Session: July 4, 2026

Ceremonial and public-facing activities will be conducted online and, optionally, in person.

“Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty.” - Anonymous

Overview

The Continental Congress of the United States of America—styled the Civic Congress—shall unofficially commence its third session as a voluntary civic assembly during the anniversary year of 2026, in the lead-up to and following the 250th anniversary of U.S. Independence. Meetings will occur predominantly online at civiccongress.us and associated social media platforms, using #CivicCongress (@civiccongress) to ensure continuous participation regardless of location. Optional in-person attendance may include nationwide Liberty Tree Gatherings (e.g., direct democracy gatherings and civic discussions; traditional Fourth of July picnics) and sessions at historically significant sites (e.g., Wuksachi Lodge, Giant Forest, Sequoia National Park, California), held at the discretion of participating Civic Delegates.

The year-long, unofficial nature of this session reflects the understanding that meaningful civic engagement and a direct democracy movement require continuous, ongoing participation rather than single-day events. This structure allows members to collaborate, deliberate, and act throughout the anniversary year, building momentum for lawful civic engagement and voluntary community participation.

As a non-governmental, voluntary, private association exercising the rights of free speech, assembly, and petition, the Civic Congress will formally mark the symbolic session on July 4, 2026, commemorating the 250th anniversary of U.S. Independence. This session continues the longstanding practice of direct democracy assemblies, while remaining subject to adoption, amendment, or replacement by the people. All actions, resolutions, and declarations of the Civic Congress are symbolic and have no governmental or legal authority.

I. Agenda

The Civic Congress exists to strengthen self-governance by promoting and lawfully advocating the expansion of direct democratic practices—initiatives, referenda, popular assemblies, and other forms of people-powered decision-making—within and alongside the representative system, uniting We the People across the States, the Federal District, the Territories, and the Tribal Nations of the United States.

II. Citizen Delegates

While no in the 21st century may compare to the historic contributions of our known, and unknown, founding ancestors, it is since the Declaration of Independence that We the People may now become the hope and the future of new historic contributions by known, and unknown, citizens of the United Sates of America. While not one State of this Union exercises a pure form of direct democracy, 26 States and the District of Columbia grant their citizens some measure of direct democratic power through the initiative or referendum process. These mechanisms enable the people to propose new laws or constitutional amendments, or to approve or reject measures passed by their legislatures, by means of a direct vote. Citizens aligned with the mission, and who act in full compliance with applicable State and Federal laws, are encouraged to become Citizen Delegates and participate in lawful civic engagement efforts lead by the Civic Congress. Such participation may include coordination among citizens residing in direct democracy States, as well as collaboration with vetted social media advocates, community leaders, and nonprofit organizations devoted to transparency and self-governance.

As established by Ballotpedia.org and other verified public sources, the following forms of direct democracy are recognized by We the People;

CI — Citizen Constitutional Initiative: permits voters to propose amendments to their State Constitution.
SI — Citizen Statutory Initiative: allows voters to propose ordinary statutes or laws.
VR — Veto or Popular Referendum: enables voters to approve or repeal laws enacted by the legislature.
Indirect Initiative: requires that citizen proposals be first submitted to the legislature before being placed on the ballot.

The several States listed below maintain one or more of these processes within their constitutions or statutes, thereby upholding the citizen’s right to lawful participation in direct democracy. We the People, as Citizen Delegates of all following 26 States and the District of Columbia, are invited to participate.

Alaska

Statutory Initiative (indirect)

Veto Referendum

Arizona

Constitutional & Statutory Initiative

Veto Referendum

Arkansas

Constitutional & Statutory Initiative

Veto Referendum

California

Constitutional & Statutory Initiative

Veto Referendum