Contact your lawmakers
Sending a letter to your city councilman, state representative, state senator, Congressman or Senator is a good way to get your opinion heard. Many politicians rely on letters of support or opposition to gauge whether their policies will be popular in their home districts. A politician might be afraid to act on his conservative beliefs if he believes his constituents aren’t with him—so he needs you to convince him he has his constituents’ backing.
Call or write
If you like, you can call or write to your elected officials. Keep the following in mind as you contact your lawmaker.
Say you are a constituent
If a lawmaker knows you are from his district, he is more likely to listen to your concerns. Likewise, if you have any political experience in your district, volunteering for a campaign or anything else, briefly explain what you have done. This will tell the politician that you are a voter he cannot ignore.
If you are calling a member of Congress, be sure to call his local office. Since they generally receive fewer calls than the Washington offices, staffers there are bound to take notice if call volumes increase.
Discuss one recent issue
By writing about just one issue, you can be assured the politician will be able to follow your argument and clearly understand your position. And by writing about a recent news occurrence, especially one the lawmaker participated in, you come across as knowledgeable, lending authority to your voice.
Need inspiration? Check out our issues page for a breakdown of major issues in the news.
Know the legislator’s position
Be sure to reference the lawmaker’s position on your issue in your letter or call and declare your support for or opposition to that position. If the lawmaker doesn’t hold a position, urge him to take yours.
Keep it concise, specific, informed, polite and unemotional
The more rational and knowledgeable the letter or call appears, the more likely he is to take you seriously.
If writing, state your purpose in one paragraph, use one paragraph to make your case, and a third and final paragraph to conclude.
Encourage a reply
At the end of your letter or call, encourage the politician to respond by asking his position on your issue. Be sure to include your full name and address on all letters and envelopes.
While you may be tempted to write an e-mail, a letter is still your best bet. Anyone can dash off an e-mail; a letter is more official and it tells the politician that you care. Staffs today are increasingly prepared to handle constituent e-mail, though, so it may be a faster way to contact your representative.
Make a personal visit
If you care to, you can arrange to meet with your lawmaker to discuss your views. If you do, remember the following:
Schedule your meeting as far in advance as possible
Lawmakers are often very busy, especially at the state and national level, so it is important to call several weeks in advance to arrange a specific time. Then, a few days before the meeting, call the office to confirm your appointment.
Prepare in advance
You should be knowledgeable about your issue and be ready to answer questions the lawmaker might have. But you do not need to be an expert, and it’s OK to admit you don’t know—it’s better to admit ignorance than to make up an answer.
Arrive early
Give yourself time to relax. But be prepared to wait—lawmakers can be extremely busy, so they may not be able to see you right away. Be prepared to meet with staff members if the politician is unable to meet with you.
Dress appropriately
By dressing well, you tell the politician both that you are serious about your cause and that you respect their office. This can go a long way towards creating a good impression.
Men should wear a jacket and tie and women should wear a skirt or nice slacks and a nice blouse. Clothes should be clean and wrinkle-free. Do not wear any sort of activist or campaign paraphernalia, since that could sour your meeting before it even starts.
Use visual aids
Come prepared with a one-page handout explaining your position and detailing your evidence in bullet points.
Be brief and polite
Get to the point quickly. Remember, legislators are busy and will not want to waste time—no matter how important your issue may be. And even if he disagrees with your position, remain civil.
Send a thank-you note
After your meeting ends, be sure to send a short thank-you letter to the lawmaker’s office thanking him for taking the time to meet with you and for considering your position.
