Know your rights · Taking part
Make your voice heard: ways to take part
How to contact your representatives, speak at a public meeting, comment on a federal rule, or petition. Most of these are open to everyone, citizen or not.
The one-line version
The First Amendment protects your right to speak, gather, and ask the government to change things. Voting is one way to take part, not the only way.
Contact your representatives
- You have one U.S. representative and two U.S. senators. Find them at house.gov and senate.gov.
- Find your state and local officials at usa.gov.
- Call, email, or use the contact form on their website.
- Say your name, your city or ZIP code, and one issue. Say what you want them to do.
- Short and personal works best. One story about how an issue affects you is enough.
Speak at a public meeting
- City councils, county boards, and school boards hold public meetings.
- Many set aside time for public comment. You sign up, then speak for a few minutes.
- Check the agenda online first. Some meetings also take written comments.
Comment on a federal rule
- Federal agencies must usually ask the public before they make a new rule.
- You can read proposed rules and leave a comment at regulations.gov.
- Agencies must consider the comments they get. A specific comment helps more than a general one.
Petition and protest
- The First Amendment protects your right to petition the government and to gather peacefully.
- A petition can be a letter signed by many people, or a formal petition your state allows.
- Before a protest, read At a protest.
Vote and run for office
- U.S. citizens 18 and older can vote. See First-time voter.
- The Constitution sets minimum ages for federal office: 25 for the House, 30 for the Senate, and 35 for President.
- Many local offices, like school board, have lower age limits. Check your state's rules.
Open to everyone
- Representatives serve everyone in their district, not only voters.
- Contacting officials, public comment, and petitions are open to everyone, citizen or not.
- Noncitizens have free speech rights too. But an arrest at a protest can affect your immigration case. Read At a protest first.
- Voting in federal and state elections and running for federal office are for citizens only.
Common questions
How do I find my representatives?
For Congress, use house.gov for your representative and senate.gov for your two senators. For state and local officials, usa.gov lists governors, mayors, and other officials.
Can noncitizens contact their representatives?
Yes. Representatives serve everyone in their district. You can call, write, comment on federal rules, and sign a petition whatever your citizenship. If you are not a citizen, an arrest at a protest can affect your immigration case.
Does calling my representative actually matter?
Offices keep track of what people in their area call about, and staff pass it on. A short, personal message about one issue is easiest for them to record.