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  Contacting Your Legislator

While there are many ways to contact your legislator, many believe that the good old-fashioned letter may be the best way.  If time is of the essence, a phone call might be best.  E-mails are good for technically-savvy legislators, but make sure your legislator utilizes e-mail before relying on it as a way to correspond.

Click the link for helpful hints for each method of contact
Writing a Letter
Making a Phone Call
Meeting with a Legislator
E-mailing a Legislator
Other Resources
 

Writing a Letter

Believe it or not, legislators receive very little feedback from their constituents on a given issue! One of the best ways to make an impression with your legislator is to write him or her a letter about your concerns. Use the tips below to help make your impression a good one!

Be Specific

  • Mention your issue (i.e., Uniform School Calendar) and ask your legislator to support a specific bill that addresses this issue.

  • Do not ever address more than one topic. If you want to talk about two or three issues, write or call several different times.

Be Correct

  • Address your correspondence properly.

  • The salutation of your letter should always include the appropriate title: "Senator"' or "Representative" before his last name. However, in the address, "The Honorable..."' should precede his name.
    (Click on Find Your Legislator to find your Alabama legislator’s mailing address, email, and phone number).

Be Personal

  • Do not send form letters, as they annoy legislators.

  • Petitions are useless! Most legislators say 5 personal notes outweigh 100 or more pages of a petition!

  • Type or handwrite a letter on personal stationery, if possible.

  • Be sure to include your return address as well as your phone number in your letter so he knows you are in his district. (Legislators want to verify that you are indeed their constituent and merely indicating that you are “in his district” will not suffice).
    Including your phone number makes it easier and more convenient for him to reply.

  • Some technically savvy legislators prefer to be contacted via E-mail, as it is a fast and effective way to provide timely responses to constituents. As with written correspondence, be sure to include your return address and phone number so the legislator knows you are in his district. (There is no way a legislator can tell where you are from just by looking at your e-mail address!)

  • Keep in mind, there are legislators who aren’t comfortable using computers and would rather be contacted via a phone call or letter

  • Although telephone calls are not a substitute for personal contact and letter writing, they are sometimes necessary when time is short..

Be Persistent

  • You need not hesitate about reaching him/her at home or work.
    Remember, these are your paid representatives!

  • Do not be shy about writing your legislator again, particularly if the response was not satisfactory the first time.

  •  Your persistence could pay off. When you do write again, refer to your original letter.

Be Gracious

  • If your legislator has been helpful in anyway, be sure to send him/her a thank you note. It is always nice to be appreciated.

  • Also, never bad mouth one legislator to another. This will make your legislator wonder what you could be saying about him or her.

  • Always be courteous and respectful to the legislator’s staff.

 Be Concise

  • Write intelligently and keep your comments to one page if possible.

  • Use facts and logical reasoning rather than emotional rhetoric.

  • Do not use too many facts... two or three key ones will do just fine.

  • You may also attach additional resources, such as newspaper or magazine clippings... but don’t over do it.

Be Respectful

  • Always be courteous.

  • Threats or insults will do much more harm than good, possibly motivating him to work against you.

  • Never say things like, "I'm a veteran, and I vote!" or "As a citizen and a taxpayer..." Let other people alienate legislators with abusive language and threats.

What Not to Say to Your Legislator

When contacting your Alabama State Representative, along with the “Do’s” also remember a few “Don’ts.”:

  • Do not use religious language when addressing a legislator.
    Unless he shares your religious convictions, he probably will not be able to relate to it.

  • Do not make threats.  He/she is far more likely to do what you want if you build a responsible and credible relationship.

  • Unless you are an official spokesperson for a group, make sure you speak only for yourself. Mentioning a group may only pigeonhole you.

[Adapted from the "Family Friendly Jury Duty" website at www.familyfriendlyjuryduty.org]

Making a Phone Call

When you call your Alabama Legislator, someone will ask you your name, your address, and phone number. Then he/she will ask who you would like to leave a message for and what the message is.
Here is an example of what you might say:
“This message is for Rep. ________ (replace with your AL representative’s name), OR Sen. _________ (replace with your AL senator’s name.)
The message is:
(1) Please support legislation that would: _________________________  Mention the Bill number if at all possible.

AND

(2) We really need this legislation in Alabama because: _________________  Mention one or two reasons that you believe the legislation needs to be passed.

[Adapted from the "Family Friendly Jury Duty" website at www.familyfriendlyjuryduty.org]

Meeting with Your Legislator

Most legislators are happy to meet with their constituents about issues on which they will be asked to vote.  If you have information to present to your legislator to back up your position and further your advocacy, a request for a meeting is certainly appropriate.  

If you will be bringing friends or associates with you, it is courteous to let your legislator know that prior to the meeting.  

When meeting with your Senator or Representative or their staff, remember that you are there to advise and give them information. They want to talk to you.  Although you need to know basic facts about a bill before the meeting, you are not expected to be an expert on legislative details. You are a constituent and citizen of Alabama, and are there to provide them with the views of their constituency. You will be most effective when you speak from you own personal experience and as a voting constituent in your member's District or state.
 

Points to Remember:

  • Be candid. Your Representative or Senator recognizes your self-interest, and you need not apologize for it, but if you can also explain how others will benefit, or be harmed, the stronger your argument will be.
  • Be honest. Tell him/her what you think and why. Your representative is interested in what you say, and wants your honest appraisal.
  • Be brief. Your time with the Representative or Senator is limited, and you must make the most of it.
  • Be to the point. Avoid getting into discussions of extraneous subjects.
  • Be a listener. Listen to what is said so that you can respond to it.
  • Be informative. Make sure your Representative/Senator understands the situation you are talking about. Personal anecdotes about your experiences can help make your point and will be remembered.
  • Be constructive. If you oppose something, offer a positive alternative, if available. Your representative is looking for solutions.
  • Be accurate. Know your facts -- your strongest weapon. Answer questions with facts. If you do not have an answer, don't guess, but promise to provide him/her with one -- and follow up.
  • Be understanding. Do your best to present your side favorably and persuasively, but understand there may be times when your Representative/Senator cannot support your position. Keep the meeting friendly, and the relationship going. He/she might be able to support you the next time around.
  • Be gracious. Do not impugn the Representative's integrity or motives. Thank him/her for meeting with you.

[Adapted from Society of Teachers of Family Medicine's website]

Simply put:

- Your goal is to engage, educate and enlist the legislator in your cause.

- Arrive on time.

- Be ready to share your personal story about why your educational issue matters to you.

- Always be friendly, polite, direct and honest.

- Listen well and take good notes about the meeting.

- Thank the legislator for his or her time and be sure to follow up on any requests for information—remember to send a thank you card.

[Adapted from the University of Minnesota's Advocacy website]

E-Mailing a Legislator

When e-mailing a legislator, remember first that a handwritten note or letter is preferred.  If you have developed a working relationship with your legislator, e-mail is acceptable only if the legislator has implicitly agreed to communicate via e-mail.  It is always best to handwrite a letter.  If the matter is urgent, and you need to get information to your legislator immediately, you might even try phoning your legislator.

Legislators' e-mail addresses are available on the Alabama Legislature's web site.

Attending Committee Meetings

Sitting in the Gallery During the Session

Other Resources

Communicating with Your Legislator
Becoming a Successful Advocate

 

This website is intended for informational purposes only.  The ASCIN is not affiliated with any organization and exists only to keep the public informed of issues as they relate to the K-12 educational system in Alabama.
Links are provided as a courtesy, not as an endorsement.
Questions?  Contact ASCIN@ASCIN.org