Contacting Your Legislators

Besides meeting face-to-face with your elected officials, there are 4 ways to contact them: by phone, letter, fax or email. Regular mail works best (and if you can fax, that is fine, too). However, phone calls also work well, especially if there is a major issue before the legislature at the current time. You might want to think twice about sending an important email as legislators are bound to be inundated with messages from this convenient mode of communication.

At the Federal level…

When writing, faxing or emailing, the purpose of your letter should be outlined in the opening paragraph. If your letter pertains to a specific piece of legislation, be sure to identify it (e.g., House bill ______ or H.R._____ OR Senate bill _____ or S._____). Be clear, concise and to the point. Always be courteous. Use specific examples to support your position. Keep letters to one page and only discuss one issue per letter.

To address correspondence, always use “The Hon. [Full name]” and “Dear Senator:” or “Dear Representative:”

If you decide to telephone your Senator or Representative, please be aware that your call will be taken by a staff member. Ask to speak to the aide or assistant who handles public health and/or family planning issues. Identify yourself, and tell the aide that you wish to leave a brief message (e.g., “Please tell the Senator/Representative that I urge him/her to support/oppose Senate/House bill X.”) State a few, brief reasons for your support or opposition, and ask for the legislator’s position on the bill. You may also request a written response to your call.

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At the State level…

Generally the same rules apply for writing and phoning your state senator and representatives.

Elected officials at the state level typically have smaller staffs than federally elected officials. If you call your state representatives and senators, you should leave a message with the person who answers the phone. Be sure to get their name and title, and follow the same guidelines as above.

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