Birddogging Opportunities

Attend a Forum or Townhall

This is ideal because there is an entire room and media to hear them on the record. Search their websites and newsletters to find out where there will be forums

Talking 1-on-1

Find your legislator at an event, an upcoming County Fair or festival, and talk to them about your concerns.

Ask Through the Media

You can weigh in through social media on posts that legislators have asking your question or stating your concerns. It’s a good way to catch their attention.

News outlets often have polls or ask for suggestions about what to ask. Weigh in with your priorities!

Letters-to-the-Editor

If there are not any forums or events, writing a letter-to-the-editor is a great way to ask the question publicly. Legislators watch the opinion sections very closely during to figure out how the district feels about certain issues and what issues matter most.

Unique Opportunities

County Fairs and Farmers' Markets

Some opportunities may not allow for a formal question to be asked, like a debate, so look for opportunities where the person will be, even if it’s not a forum. Often legislators attend the local County Fairs or Farmer’s Markets. Those are great places to ask a question and maybe get the opportunity for a full conversation. Some events may be planned to only allow you to shake the person’s hands as they walk by. Stick your hand out and ask the question or state your desires quickly—better quick than not at all!

Finding a Venue

You can’t ask a question if no one is there to ask it to! Remember, it doesn’t have to be an in-person event. Many radio stations host forums and print newspapers often ask legislators questions and put them in print.

Here are some ways to find them:

Subscribe to a person’s email list or follow them on Facebook: they want their supporters to attend events and support them, so you’ll likely hear from them about upcoming events. This is also true of state and local party (Republican and Democratic Party of Wisconsin) emails lists and Facebook pages. You can also just call a campaign office and ask where they will be! Often there isn’t much notice, so you have to check frequently. Don’t want to subscribe? Find someone who is already politically active and ask them to forward things along.
Follow local media on Facebook or read the news: Many events are hosted by a local TV station or newspaper. Follow them to find out information. You can even reach out to the paper to ask if they know of anything. Often newspapers interview legislators. Reaching out to them might get you an opportunity to have one of the questions be about our issues. Wisconsin Public Radio also features more legislators at some point, make sure to watch for those and call in to the show.
Check out entities that are likely to host a forum like the League of Women Voters. If you can’t find anything online, reach out to them and ask. They often know of a forum or event, even if they aren’t putting it on.
Gathering Waters Town Hall List: Gathering Waters continues to update their list of townhalls here.

2026 Planning

In 2026, we are closely tracking opportunities to reach out to legislators to share your priorities and concerns. Click here to be brought to the 2026 Birddogging Hub.

Email Cassie Steiner at cassandra.steiner@sierraclub.org to get added to the 2026 Birddogging Team

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