CBS News Will Host J.D. Vance Town Hall

The one-hour special will feature voters in Michigan discussing key issues ahead of the midterm elections.

Updated on Oct. 7, 2026 in Elections

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Do you trust televised town hall events to provide helpful information before an election?

CBS News will host a town hall event titled Things That Matter featuring Vice President J.D. Vance in Michigan. Moderated by CBS Evening News anchor Tony Dokoupil, the one-hour program will include voters from across the political spectrum.

Why it matters

The special provides a platform for voters to engage with the Vice President on critical policy areas ahead of the upcoming midterm elections. Participants will discuss issues ranging from immigration and healthcare to the state of democracy and tariffs.

The special is scheduled for an 8 p.m. ET/PT start time on CBS and will also be available for streaming on Paramount+. This event marks a continuation of the network format, following a similar town hall held with Ben Sasse on April 26.

The players

J.D. Vance

J.D. Vance is the current Vice President of the United States.

Tony Dokoupil

Tony Dokoupil is the anchor of CBS Evening News and will moderate the upcoming town hall event.

CBS News

CBS News is the news division of the CBS television network responsible for producing the special.

The details

Moderator Tony Dokoupil will guide the discussion, which aims to address topics including Congressional elections, artificial intelligence, and the war with Iran. The event format is designed to allow local voters to ask questions directly and share their thoughts with the Vice President.

The town hall will air at 8 p.m. ET/PT on CBS.
This article was published on October 7, 2026.

Political Context

The event follows the precedent set by the April 26 CBS News town hall with Ben Sasse. This program extends the network's strategy of utilizing moderated town halls to facilitate direct engagement between voters and high-level political figures.

Viewers can tune in to the broadcast to hear the administration's position on economic and security issues directly affecting their daily lives. The town hall serves as an opportunity for constituents to observe how the Vice President addresses concerns regarding healthcare and cost of living.

The takeaway

Town hall formats provide a unique window into the priorities of both political leaders and the voting public. Audience members can use these events to evaluate how proposed policies on artificial intelligence and foreign policy might impact their future.