Are Town Halls Essential for Representative Democracy?

Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) is holding an in-person town hall August 22 for the first time since being elected in 2016. Constituents are required to submit their names for a lottery to win one of the 135 seats available in the planned venue. Fitzpatrick represents over 700,000 constituents.

As town halls have become increasingly contentious, particularly for Republicans, many have started controlling attendance. Some have ceased having town halls all together.

Constituents can still call their Members of Congress, send them emails and even old-fashioned letters. Is that enough? Do you think representatives can actually represent their constituents if they don’t meet them face-to-face?

Should Members of Congress be required to have town halls? If so, should they have to choose large venues or have multiple, smaller events in order to see a baseline number of constituents?

If constituents engage in personal attacks and vitriol against their representatives at town halls, is that adequate justification for controlling the events more tightly?

Use the Take Action button to tell your reps what you think!

Take Action

— Asha Sanaker

(Photo Credit: Wikimedia / Creative Commons)