Table of Contents

• TownHallOS Updates

• We Need Your Help

Version 0.0.1 Alpha is Live!

Click Here to visit our new website. The site is currently optimized for desktop and web use. While the platform is accessible on mobile devices, some features may not function as expected, and users may encounter bugs. For the best experience, we recommend using a laptop or desktop during this early release. Mobile responsiveness and general accessibility will be part of our next update!

Initial Release

We’re thrilled to announce that TownhallOS Version 0.0.1, our first public release, goes live tomorrow, April 21, 2025. This milestone introduces a suite of new features designed to enhance your experience, making it smoother, more personalized, and more impactful.

What’s New in Version 0.0.1

• Policy Tracker: View real-time state and federal bill data, so you’re always up to date on the policies that affect your community.

• Personalized Dashboard: Get quick access to your profile, interests, and your representatives.

• Streamlined Authentication: Sign in easily with your email.

• General Site Improvements: Updates to all static pages enhance the styling and consistency of the user experience.

Recent Wins

• Quality Assurance Volunteers: We are in talks to partner with the Policy and Activism Committee of the Loudoun County Youth Advisory Council, which is willing to generously volunteer its time to help test TownhallOS for bugs and provide valuable feedback. This collaboration not only strengthens our platform but also engages local youth in our mission to promote civic education and participation.

• Banking Setup Complete: Our bank account was officially approved by Mercury this week, providing us with the necessary infrastructure to operate and grow.

• GiveButter Integration: We have successfully integrated with GiveButter, making it easier for our supporters to contribute and help sustain our mission.

Blockers and Challenges

• Google OAuth Verification: Google’s OAuth app verification can take 4–6 weeks. We are waiting to hear back from Google to be allowed to go live with Google OAuth.

• Complexity of Bill Data: We discovered that there are over 20,000 unique subject and interest areas associated with bills. We’re working on a simplified system to make this data relevant and manageable for users, so you can easily find and track what matters to you.

• Onboarding Experience: We’re still refining the onboarding flow to ensure new users can get started smoothly.

• Data Integrations: Expanding the Policy Tracker to cover more localities and legislative bodies is an ongoing technical challenge.

• Feedback Loop: We need more early user feedback to prioritize what features and improvements matter most.

Heads Up: Alpha Release Means Bugs Are Expected

Since TownhallOS is launching as version 0.0.1 alpha, we want to set clear expectations: you may encounter unexpected bugs, glitches, or odd edge cases while using the platform. Early releases like this are inherently unstable and subject to rapid change, as is standard for projects in the 0.x.x stage. Your feedback is crucial to help us improve.

If you run into any issues, spot a bug, or have suggestions, please email us at [email protected]. Every report helps us make TownhallOS better for everyone. Thank you for being an early adopter and helping us build a more robust platform!

Looking Ahead

Today’s launch is just the beginning. Your feedback will shape what comes next as we continue to build tools for civic engagement and government transparency. Thank you for being part of the TownhallOS community—let’s make democracy work better, together.

Upcoming Features: What’s in Development

We’re focused on building features that will make TownhallOS more accessible, user-friendly, and engaging. Here’s a quick overview of the types of improvements coming soon:

• Mobile Responsiveness: Ensuring the platform works smoothly on all devices, especially smartphones and tablets.

• Accessibility Enhancements: Making TownhallOS more accessible for individuals with various disabilities and special needs.

• Improved Dashboards: Creating personalized, data-enriched views to help users stay informed and connected.

• Social Features: Adding ways to share, like, and comment on legislative content.

• Expanded Policy and Election Tracking: Enhancing tools to follow local policies and elections more effectively.

• Community Engagement Tools: Introducing features like petitions, surveys, and community organization to empower user participation.

We Need Your Help: Connecting with Local Leaders

As we gear up for Alpha launch, we seek connections with local lawmakers, representatives, and civic organizations that share our commitment to transparent and accessible government. If you have contacts interested in partnering with TownHallOS, we’d love to hear from you! Please reach out to [email protected] with any relevant introductions or suggestions.

Join Us in Building the Future of Civic Engagement

TownHallOS isn’t just a platform — it’s a movement to make democracy more accessible and responsive. Together, we can create a society where every voice matters and every voice becomes action.

Thank you for being part of our story. Stay tuned for updates as we approach launch day!

Your TownHallOS Team

Where your voice becomes action.