You may have seen some headlines recently about how some town halls have lit up across the country. Notice how many of the attendees are older Americans? It's high time that voters of all ages started showing up. Your Member of Congress (MoC) needs to hear from a diverse range of constituents in order to fully understand how Washington and Congress are impacting your district. Attending a Town Hall and letting your representative know what you think about what they’ve done (or not done) in Washington, DC is a time-honored tradition.

A Town Hall is a public meeting where MoCs listen to their constituents, explain their actions, and most importantly — answer questions from the people they represent face-to-face.

Never forget — your elected officials work for you, and town halls are one of the best times to hold your representatives accountable and ensure your voice is heard. Didn’t like your Member’s recent vote? Have thoughts on the impact of federal government cuts? This is the space to let them know exactly what you think.

Here’s how to find, attend, and make the most of these events.

Why Town Halls Matter

Think of town halls as a kind of job performance review for your members of Congress (MoCs). These events can influence the way your representative makes future policy decisions, shape media narratives, and even impact their chances at re-election. 

MoC’s town halls usually take place during government recesses, when they’re back in their hometowns and hoping to garner some positive local press coverage. Over the next few months, MoC’s should be home during planned congressional recesses around March 15 – 23, April 12 – 27, and May 27 – June 1 (mark your calendar accordingly).

How to Find Your MoC’s Next Town Hall

1. Figure out who your MoC is. Don’t know? No problem — just plug in your zip code on Congress.gov’s page here or check out our guide.   
2. Check Their Website & Social Media. Most MoCs announce town halls on their official websites, Facebook pages, or Twitter accounts. Sign up for their newsletters to get updates.
3. Call Their Office. If no event is listed, call their district office (hint: check out USA.gov to find this number) and ask when the next town hall is scheduled. Request to be added to any notification lists.
4. Use Public Event Trackers. Websites like Town Hall Project and Indivisible track upcoming events and rallies.
5. Keep an Eye Out for Non-Traditional Town Halls.If your MoC isn’t hosting public events for some reason, you can write and call to demand one. Some MoCs avoid in-person events and opt for virtual town halls or “tele-townhalls.” While less than ideal, these still offer an important opportunity to engage.

Get into Prep Mode

• Do Your Research. Knowing your MoC’s voting record, committee assignments, and recent statements is key to getting the most out of these meetings and holding them accountable. Sites like GovTrack, Vote Smart and OpenSecrets all offer short cuts to find this info fast.
• Prepare Your Question. Make it specific, fact-based, and action-oriented. Stick to one issue that matters most to you and avoid long-winded statements. Stay polite, but firm. If your MoC dodges, calmly follow up: “That doesn’t answer my question. Can you clarify?”
• Bring a Notebook or Record the Event. Take notes, capture responses, and, if allowed, be ready to use your phone to record a video for extra accountability.
• Coordinate with Others. Attend with family, friends, or a group. Share how an issue directly affects you or your community — personal stories are compelling and harder to dismiss. If you can, get there early and sit near the front to increase the odds you’ll be called on. 
• Show Visible Support or Disapproval. You don’t necessarily have to speak to have your feelings known. Applaud when you agree with your MoC’s stance or answer; stay silent or hold up signs (if allowed) when you don’t.

Town halls are one of the best opportunities you’ll have to make your elected official listen to you. Showing up, asking tough questions, and holding them accountable is essential to make sure they know you’re paying attention to everything that’s happening, at home and in DC. Your voice matters — use it.