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.