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Get Involved - Legislation - Writing Letters to Legislators
DO
Use personal letterhead that includes your return address.
Use the titles ‘Senator’ (Sen.) or Representative (Rep.) to address your legislator.
Include a telephone number and an e-mail address if appropriate.
Be clear – state the Legislative Document number and your purpose at the outset.
Describe your position – For or against – and the reasoning behind it.
Be accurate – use facts to support your position on a bill or issue.
Write from an individual position – legislators respond to constituents.
Be brief – one page – your letter has a better chance of being read.
Ask your legislator to send you a reply stating their position on the issue.
Send a copy of your letter to cooperating entities or lobbyists.
Follow-up a supportive vote with a thank you note, or one noting otherwise.
DON’T
Mention your involvement with an organization – write as an individual.
Use jargon that isn’t clear, or catch phrases that are from the mass media.
Use form letters or fill-in-the-blank messages from a campaign.
Make unreasonable or impossible requests, or use a demanding tone.
Make threats, use insults, or be overly negative – these tactics usually backfire.