Getting Your Voice Heard

One of your greatest responsibilities is to help elect the legislators who represent you. But your role in the democratic process of government does not end at the polls. By sharing your opinions and ideas with your representatives and senators, you help them decide what to do about the issues and pending legislation that affect us all. They value your suggestions and encourage you to express them.

Your legislators receive a huge amount of phone calls and mail from their constituents. Unfortunately, their full agendas limit their ability to personally read and respond to it all. How then, can you be sure your voice is heard? Here are some tips to help you get the most impact out of your communications with your legislators.

General Tips

Know who your legislators are and how to contact them. If you don't know who represents you, you can find out by using the clinking here to link to the Virginia Legislature Citizen's Guide "Who's My Legislator".
Make sure you understand the legislative process. Even the most basic understanding of the process will help you effectively express your ideas.
Contact your legislator about a particular issue before the Legislature takes action on it. Most matters coming before the Legislature are well publicized before session.
Use a variety of communication methods. You might choose to telephone, write, e-mail, fax, or visit your legislator. You might also choose to give testimony at public hearings held by the Legislature. (To give testimony, you would need to contact the appropriate committee secretary before the hearing to sign up.)
Tell your legislator what effect you think a particular bill, if it becomes law, will have on you, your children, business, or community. Be concise, but specific.
Be polite, even if you disagree strongly with the legislator you are addressing. Lawmakers cannot please everyone. Your communication will be more effective if you are reasonable in your approach.
Suggest a course of action and offer assistance. Don't make promises or threats.

When writing your legislator:

Address letters to Members of the House of Delegates as "The Honorable John Doe", Address letters to senators as "Senator Jane Doe".
Be absolutely certain you spell your legislator's name correctly and use the correct address. If you don't, you could lose your audience.
Type or print legibly. Sign your name neatly and give your address correctly so they can respond to your letter.
Keep letters, e-mail, and faxes brief. Never write more than one page. Written correspondence that is short and to-the-point is more likely to grab and keep the reader's attention.
Identify your issue or opinion at the beginning of the letter; don't bury your main point under trivial text.
Cover only one issue per letter. If you have another issue to address, write another letter.
Back up your opinions with supporting facts. Your letter should inform the reader.
Avoid abbreviations or acronyms, and don't use technical jargon. Rather than impressing your reader, such terms will only frustrate him or her.
Don't send the same letter to more than one legislator. Personalized letters have more impact.

When telephoning or visiting your legislator:

Plan your call or visit carefully. Keep to the point and discuss only one issue. Organize your thoughts ahead of time and make notes to help you stay on track.
When planning to visit your legislator, make an appointment. Don't just drop by your legislator's office and expect him or her to drop everything to see you. Call or write for an appointment as soon as you know when you are going to be at the Capitol.
Prepare a one-page fact sheet concerning your issue to give to your legislator. This will help him or her better retain what you present.

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