Town Halls Are a Foundation for Working Democracy

By Congressman A. Donald McEachin

Elected officials are responsible for representing constituents. Voters choose whichever candidate they feel best represents their views and values. Once elected, however, elected officials must represent everyone — including the voters who opposed them. We represent even those who chose not to vote, or didn’t have the right.

I have a responsibility to represent my constituents effectively. I can’t do the job I was elected to do unless I understand what people need and want here in the district.

My team carefully reviews the letters, e-mails, and phone calls we receive. I post on social media and read the discussions those posts prompt. In Washington, I work to better understand national policy issues; in the district, I work to understand my constituents’ views on issues, to hear their ideas, and to learn about issues that deserve consideration in D.C.

One of the best and most satisfying ways to do that is through town halls. Town halls allow the opportunity for dialogue, as attendees and I discuss the issues that are on their minds. The chance to hear and answer follow-up questions is especially valuable. While emails, letters, and calls are all incredibly important, they do not replace real time conversation.

By holding town halls throughout the district, I get the chance to broaden my perspective as I hear from more people; at the same time, town halls maximize people’s opportunities to talk directly to me. I have held large town halls and smaller ones, which we call “Coffee with Your Congressman.” I have held in-person town halls and Facebook town halls, so folks who can’t get to a particular location still have the chance to make their voices heard.

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For any of these town halls to be as successful as they should be, they should ideally be open and accessible, with free-flowing dialogue. Holding town halls exclusively in remote locations, demanding pre-registration, or requiring tickets for admission — practices that some members of Congress have chosen to adopt — undermine their purpose and value. All representatives should be willing to answer difficult questions and interact with those who disagree with them.

Recently, some attendees have started bringing red and green cards to town halls to signal agreement or disagreement with the things their representatives say. These cards create the opportunity for an elected official to get an instant “poll” of folks in the room. Yet some representatives have tried to ban their use.

If a representative thinks all constituents need to be in accord with his or her every decision, then he or she misunderstands the job. Every representative needs to hear people out and face difficult questions. Anything less falls short of real democracy.

Citizens who attend town halls should be commended for their civic engagement. They are fulfilling the highest duty of citizenship by actively participating in self-government. To every person who has attended one of my events, let me thank you. I am wiser for your participation and better able to serve you.

But participants also have a responsibility. They need to behave civilly, whether agreeing or disagreeing with their representative. They have an obligation to participate in a respectful manner, giving everyone the opportunity to express his or her views. No one deserves to be shouted down for voicing an unpopular opinion.

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Recently, one of my colleagues — Congressman Steve Scalise of Louisiana — was shot, along with several others, while practicing for a congressional baseball game. This horrific tragedy should remind all of us of the need to disagree in a civil manner. Hateful speech, raised voices, cursing, name-calling — none of that advances anyone’s cause. Violence is always, always unacceptable.

No elected official should use that tragedy — or any other excuse — to hide from constituents and avoid town halls or other opportunities for dialogue. I and my colleagues knew what we were signing up for when we put our names on the ballot. We cannot shrink from facing citizens.

If we want to make progress, all Americans — elected officials and constituents alike — have an obligation to behave in a respectful and decent manner, truly listening to and hearing each other.

I will continue to hold town hall meetings and engage in civil conversation with my constituents. Just last week I hosted two town hall events, one in Chesterfield and another in Suffolk. On Aug. 29, I will host another town hall in Henrico at the Eastern Government Center from 6 to 7:30 p.m. No tickets required and I welcome your red and green cards. I want to know exactly what you think.

I call on my colleagues to use this recess to openly meet with constituents, in places far and near, and to listen, learn, and discuss even the most difficult issues.

A. Donald McEachin, a Democrat, represents Virginia’s 4th District in the U.S. House of Representatives. Contact his Richmond office at (804) 486–1840.

Originally published at www.richmond.com on 08/26/2017.