The State of the American Address · Social Compact USA

Become Virtual President USA®
The State of the

Step into the spotlight and deliver the State of the American Address. Before the President speaks to We the People, you speak for We the People.

One speech.One moment.One chance.
$10,000+In Prizes
5Regions
1Virtual President

Slide 1 of 4: The State of the American Address

What is the State of the American Address?

The People Speak First

State of the American Address® is an annual national speech contest launched for America’s 250th anniversary. Citizens compete to share their vision for the future, and the people’s choice becomes Virtual President USA®.

The Contest

Any American records 90 seconds to 2 minutes audition of their vision for the country’s next 250 years.

The Title

We the People choose the winner: Virtual President USA, the People’s Civic Orator.

The Moment

Each January, he or she speaks for the nation before the annual State of the Union, when POTUS speaks to the nation.

Launching every July 4th, beginning with America's 250th Anniversary

Record Your Speech
Your Journey Starts Here

How It Works

Three steps to make history.

Join the Movement

Register

Sign up through a partner organization or on your own. Open to all Americans.

0States

Share Your Voice

Submit

Record your 90-second to 2-minute vision for America’s next 250 years.

90s–2mYour audition

Rise to the Stage

Compete

Advance through the regionals to deliver your address on the national stage.

$0+In Prizes
Judging Criteria

The Four Pillars of Excellence

Clarity of Vision & National Purpose

Is the speaker's message unmistakable, and does it matter to the nation?

If the vision can be clearly stated in one sentence, the foundation is strong.

Command of Ideas & Constructive Leadership

Does the speaker demonstrate understanding, and offer a way forward?

Great speakers don't just diagnose problems. They articulate direction.

Authentic Voice & Moral Authority

Does the speaker genuinely represent We the People?

Authority comes from conviction, not volume.

Presence, Delivery & Persuasive Impact

Does the speaker command the moment and move the audience?

A winning SOTAA speech doesn't just speak. It resonates.

The Ultimate Honor

Virtual President USA

Rewards

The Prizes

Grand Prize · Virtual President USA

$0

Your address will be live streamed before the State of the Union.

Five Regional Vice Presidents · $1,000 each

$1,000
Northwest
$1,000
Midwest
$1,000
Northeast
$1,000
Southwest
$1,000
Southeast

Winners take their prize in cash.

Five Regions, One Nation

The Five Regions

Every region crowns its own Regional Vice President. Tap a region to see its states; tap away to clear.

IdahoMontanaOregonWashingtonWyomingIowaKansasMinnesotaMissouriNorth DakotaNebraskaSouth DakotaConnecticutWashington, DCDelawareIllinoisIndianaMassachusettsMarylandMaineMichiganNew HampshireNew JerseyNew YorkOhioPennsylvaniaRhode IslandVermontWisconsinArizonaCaliforniaColoradoNew MexicoNevadaUtahAlabamaArkansasFloridaGeorgiaKentuckyLouisianaMississippiNorth CarolinaOklahomaSouth CarolinaTennesseeTexasVirginiaWest Virginia
Featured Speeches

Voices of SOTAA

View All Speeches

Hear the voices shaping America's next chapter.

Add Your Voice
Watch · Vote · Done

You Don’t Have to Enter to Have a Say

Before the President speaks, the people decide who speaks for them. Watch a few, vote for the one that moves you. No account needed.

01

Watch

Three speeches from Americans making their case.

02

Vote

One tap for the one that moves you. That’s it.

03

Done

No account. No sign-up. You just helped pick who speaks.

Live Standings

The Race for Virtual President

The five leading candidates by total votes across all their auditions. Bars rise, fall, and re-order in real time as America votes.

Sample standings · live results begin when voting opens

Eligibility

Who Can Take the Stage

Four things to know before you record. That’s the whole list.

US Citizens and Residents

The contest is open to anyone who is a citizen of or legally resides in the United States. That includes all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the territories, so voices from across the nation are welcome to compete.

18 and Older

The main contest is built for adult speakers, ages 18 and up. This is the primary competition track where speakers earn rulings and votes throughout the season.

Ages 13 to 17

Younger speakers, ages 13 to 17, compete in our dedicated Junior Contest, a separate youth track designed to give rising voices a stage of their own.

Enter as Often as You Like

You may submit more than one audition across the season. Your newest is the one in play each round, and your standing reflects your total votes across all of them. Bring your strongest message every time.

Your Moment Awaits

Take the Stage

Your words will shape the national conversation. Speak directly to Government and inspire the next generation of civic leaders.

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