Elected officials are impressed when constituents (voters in their states/districts) take the time to express their views on an issue. There are many ways to reach legislators - you can visit them in person, write letters, attend public hearings, make phone calls, and send faxes or emails.
We have provided a list of lawmakers for our area. There are a few tips you may want to review before making a contact to an elected official regarding scheduling a visit, making a visit, writing a letter/fax/email or placing a telephone call.
Writing Letters, Faxes or Emails
Writing letters works best at the state level. Due to high security in Washington, DC, it sometimes takes several weeks for a letter to reach its destination. You might want to consider sending a letter to a federal elected official to his or her district office.
Placing a Telephone Call
Making a telephone call to your elected official’s office is a quick and easy way to make your voice heard. You will most likely speak to a staff person, but be assured that your message will get to the right person. A few tips to consider before you make your call follow.
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Ask for a staff person who handles your issue (housing, taxes, etc.). If the person is unavailable, leave a voice mail with a brief message about the subject of your call. Be sure to say and spell your name, give your phone number and you city.
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Have notes in front of you, highlighting the points you want to make.
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Be brief. On the phone, you will probably only get four or five minutes of the person’s times.
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If you want a response to your request, be sure to ask.
Meeting with Your Elected Officials
There may be occasions when a face-to-face meeting opportunity arises. Two types of meetings usually occur in the home district and affords the opportunity to meet with the legislator and staff. Below you will find some tips to consider when setting up an appointment.
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You may be asked to fax a request for the appointment, stating the reason for the visit, who will be attending, etc.
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Most likely, you will meet with a staff member for a maximum of 15-20 minutes, particularly if you are meeting with staff or an elected official. You are more likely to meet with an elected official at the local, county or state level.
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Follow-up within a week with a letter, fax or email saying “thank you” again.