Getting Through to Legislators: 8 Tips to Make Your Opinion Count
- TARGET THE PEOPLE WHO REPRESENT YOU
Call, email or write the state legislators, congressional representatives and senators who represent you. Your vote is important to them. Your vote is not important to those from other states.
- DO YOUR HOMEWORK
Use Women Matter’s resources to find out:
- Is your representative a member of a committee considering your issue?
- Has he or she taken a position on your issue?
- Where did he or she stand on similar issues?
- TIMING IS KEY
Use WomenMatter’s resources to track your issue. The best time to act is when your issue is in committee or nearing a floor vote.
- PERSONALIZE
Remember that form postcards, emails, etc. are counted. PERSONAL communications are READ.
- BE CONCRETE
Describe the effect the proposed legislation will have on people in the state or district. What specifically do you want the legislator to do?
- BE BRIEF
A page is better than a book.
- GET IT THERE IN TIME
If you prefer letters or post cards to email, address them to the District or State Office. Click here to find the addresses for your representatives on the www.womenMatter.com .Mail sent to Washington, D.C. congressional offices must go through elaborate security checks and takes longer to arrive.
- FOLLOW UP
When it’s over, make sure they know you were watching.
- Say thank you to the legislators who supported your position
- Convey your disappointment to those who didn’t.
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