Most Americans don't attend local government meetings
Core finding
Local government meetings are unfamiliar territory for most: 76% of Americans say they have not attended one in the last two years, according to a Verasight survey conducted March 6-16, 2026.
The remaining 24% have been to at least one in that time, with 11% reporting two to five meetings, 10% a single meeting, and just 2% more than five.
Topline distribution
Most Americans don't attend local government meetings.
In the last two years, have you attended any local government meetings in your community (such as school board, planning commission, or city council)? If so, how many?
n = 1,000 · Mar 6–16, 2026 · MoE ±3.5%
Methodology
Full methodology →| Mode | Verasight panel recruited via random address-based sampling, random person-to-person text messaging, and dynamic online targeting |
|---|---|
| Population | US adults age 18+ |
| Field dates | Mar 6–16, 2026 |
| Base (unweighted) | 1,000 |
| Margin of error | ±3.5% |
| Module | Module 2: Economics, Work, & Policy |
| Sponsor | Verasight |
| Weight variable | weight |
| Weighting targets | age, race/ethnicity, sex, income, education, region, metropolitan status |
Sources
- reports.verasight.io/r/omnibus-2026-044
If so, how many?
Cite this question
Verasight Client Omnibus Survey #2026-044, fielded March 6-16, 2026, N=1,000 US adults age 18+, +/- 3.5%.