Influencing Legislators - DO's


There are times when every citizen or business feels strongly enough about an issue that they feel it necessary to contact their legislators. Some issues may bring loads of mail and phone calls to a legislator's office while other issues may generate little or no contact. You should never underestimate the impact that taking time to make contact will have. After all, isn't it always the squeaky wheel that gets the oil?

If you feel strongly about an issue impacting your life, your business or your industry, take a moment to contact your legislator. The following list of "Do's" will help you to ensure effective communication.

  1. Be brief. Remember time is precious. All letters, emails, phone calls and office visits should be "short and sweet." Get to the point quickly and focus on your issue.
  2. Include Bill numbers. Include correct bill number(s) in all communication about specific legislation.
  3. Explain the impact. In simple, straightforward terms logically support your position. Effective logic involves jobs, costs, safety/security and how many people the legislation will affect. Explain any impact on consumers.
  4. Respect. Show respect for the office and staff members (even if you don't respect the current office holder or his/her position on other important issues).
  5. Quantity. There is strength in numbers and many issues are decided upon based on the volume of communication received. Enlist family, friends and colleagues to call and write about the issue along with you.
  6. Knowledge. Know your issue well and demonstrate responsibility by thoughtfully pointing out problems and offering alternatives when warranted.
  7. Location. Include your name, address and phone number (home and work) on all communication. This allows the lawmaker and staff to contact you and reminds them that you are a voter in their district.
  8. Follow up with letters, calls, etc. Effective advocates make an ongoing committment to an issue. Devote 30 to 60 minutes a month to following up with additional communication on the issue.
  9. Strength. Remind your lawmaker how many people, i.e. votes, in your organization, community or business share your position.
  10. "Position Paper". If you feel strongly enough to make an office visit, it helps to prepare a position paper beforehand. This document is where you will lay out your understanding of the issue, your position and supporting logic. You will also try to lay out all the arguments of persons with a position contrary to yours and document logical arguments in opposition to their position. You would study your documentation in preparation for your meeting with the lawmaker and/or staff in order to be prepared to articulate your position, defend it and cast doubt on opposing positions.
  11. Be patient. It takes time for Bills to work through committees and come before the legislature for final votes. Sometimes neither you nor the lawmaker will know the final outcome for months.
  12. Sportsmanship. Be a good winner and a good loser. An adversary on one issue might be an ally on another issue.
  13. Invitation. Bring your message home by inviting your lawmaker and staff to your office or membership meeting to put a human face on the issue you're discussing.
  14. Be Realistic. Politics is often not about finding and implementing the best solution. It is about finding the best compromise that various constituencies can live with. Determine what can best be achieved now. More football games are won by first downs over time than by "Hail Mary" passes attempting to achieve the full goal at once.
  15. Ask lawmakers to state their position. If it agrees with yours, ask what you can do to strengthen that support. If it differs, ask what would change their position. If hey are undecided, ask what information or demonstration of public support you can supply to help them decide.
  16. Support state and national trade associations. Your state and federal trade associations can put significant resources towards helping lawmakers understand issues and their impact on constituents.
  17. Use the news media. Lawmakers and their staff read the paper and community news. Send letters to the paper or write guest editorials in support of your position. When published, send a copy to your lawmaker along with a brief personal note asking for his or her support.
  18. Gratitude. Write a thank-you note to the lawmaker and staff no matter what the outcome of your issue. Relationship building may pay off down the road when there is another issue you want addressed.