Tips for Calling on the Phone |
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Identify yourself: constituent, advocate, organization representative. |
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Ask to speak with the legislator
or his/her legislative assistant. |
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State your reason for calling; refer to the bill by number if you know it. |
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Be brief and specific with your request. |
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Ask for your legislator’s position on the issue and for a commitment to vote for your position. |
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Don’t argue if the legislator has an opposing view or hasn’t yet decided. |
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Don’t guess at answers
to questions. If you don’t know the answer
to a question, simply say that you don’t know,
but that you will get back to them with correct information. |
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If your legislator requests more information, supply it as quickly as possible. |
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Thank the person for speaking with you. |
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Provide contact information: mailing address, phone, or e-mail address. |
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Follow up your call with a note
restating your position and thanking them for their
time. If your legislator takes the action you
requested, send a thank-you note or make a phone call. |
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If you cannot reach your elected
official, leave a brief but specific message: Identify
yourself and explain that you would like the legislator
to vote yes/no on a particular bill. Be sure to
state where you live and your contact information so
your legislator can respond to you. |
Tips for Sending Letters or E-mails |
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Identify yourself: constituent, advocate, organization representative. |
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Keep it to one page if possible – short letters can have great impact. |
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Make your purpose known in the first paragraph. |
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Limit your message to one bill
or issue at a time. Be sure you include the bill
number and a description of the issue. |
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Be specific. Clearly state
the action you wish your legislator to take. |
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Support your position with accurate, up-to-date information. |
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Individualize your letter or e-mail.
Be sure to use your own words. |
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Write from your personal perspective.
Tell your legislator how the bill will impact you, your
family, community, etc. |
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Be courteous. |
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Include your contact information in the correspondence, including your name and address, and also your e-mail address and phone number if you choose. |
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With a letter, sign your name personally and make sure your name and address are on BOTH the letter and the envelope. |
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Follow up with your legislator.
If he/she votes or takes the action you requested, send
a thank-you note or make a phone call. |
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