Find Your Officials

Understanding who represents you is the first step in influencing public decisions. This page connects you to verified tools that identify your federal, state, and local officials based on your address. HISW adds context and guidance so you know what to do once you have their names.

Federal and State Officials

Enter your home address in the tools linked here. You’ll see your representatives across different levels of government. Use the HISW actions below to understand how each role affects your daily life.

Federal Officials

State Legislators

Local leaders shape the services you interact with most directly. Use your city or county website to find information for:
- Mayor
- City Council
- County Supervisors
- District Attorney
- Sheriff
- School Board
If you cannot find your local website, you can look up mayors in larger cities here:
https://www.usmayors.org/mayors/
School boards govern the policies, budgets, and curriculum decisions that shape your local public schools. They determine funding priorities, superintendent oversight, student services, and long-term planning.
To find your local school board:
- Check your school district’s website
- Search: “[Your City] Unified School District school board”
- Look for “Board of Education,” “Trustees,” or “Governing Board”
If you’re unsure which district you’re in, most county offices of education offer district lookup tools.
These officials shape the justice system in your community. Their decisions affect public safety policy, charging practices, incarceration, alternatives to prosecution, and how resources are deployed.
District Attorney
- Elected countywide
- Sets prosecution priorities
- Oversees charging decisions, sentencing recommendations, diversion programs
Sheriff
- County-level law enforcement
- Oversees jails, patrols, and civil processes
- Separate from city police departments
Public Defender (in many counties)
- Provides legal representation for people who cannot afford an attorney
Where to find this information:
- Your county website (search “District Attorney” or “Sheriff”)
- County Board of Supervisors directory
Special districts manage essential services that operate independently from your city or county government. These districts levy taxes, set fees, and oversee long-term infrastructure planning.
Common types of special districts include:
- Transit agencies (BART, Muni, Metro)
- Water and wastewater districts
- Fire protection districts
- Parks and recreation districts
- Utility authorities or power districts
How to find your districts:
- Search: “[Your City] transit agency board,” “[Your County] water district board”
- Check your county’s “Special Districts” directory
- Look at your property tax bill for district names
These boards often control funding priorities and long-term capital projects that affect housing, transportation access, and utility costs.
Regional agencies coordinate planning and funding decisions across multiple cities and counties. These bodies shape transportation systems, housing planning, climate goals, and long-term regional infrastructure.
What they typically oversee:
- Transportation funding and capital projects (highways, rail, transit)
- Regional housing needs assessments
- Long-term growth and land-use plans
- Climate adaptation and emissions planning
- Federal and state grant distribution
Examples:
- Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs)
- Councils of Governments (COGs)
- Regional Transportation Authorities (RTAs)
How to find your regional agency:
- Search: “[Your County] MPO” or “[Your Region] council of governments”
- Check your county transportation agency’s website
- Look for “Planning Board,” “Transportation Commission,” or “COG”
Why this matters:
These boards decide how billions in transportation and housing funds are allocated across the region. Their choices determine transit access, highway expansions, bike infrastructure, and regional housing planning.
Different issues fall under different districts—city council, county supervisors, school boards, state legislature, Congress, and special districts. These boundaries often overlap in confusing ways, which makes it important to know exactly which districts you live in.
Here are the most common types of districts:
- City boundaries (city council districts or wards)
- County supervisor districts
- School districts
- Community college districts
- State Assembly and Senate districts
- U.S. House of Representatives districts
- Special districts (water, transit, utilities)
How to find your district boundaries:
- Search: “[Your City] district map” or “[Your County] supervisor district map”
- Check your county elections office website
- Look for tools labeled “District Lookup,” “Find My District,” “GIS Map,” or “Boundary Map”
- Most counties publish interactive GIS maps where you can enter your address
Why this matters:
Understanding your exact districts helps you identify the right officials, know who to contact about an issue, and understand which government body controls decisions that affect you.