Writing to a Legislator

 

Writing to a Legislator

Letters can be of great importance in persuading a legislator, if done well. Even after personal contact or a telephone call, follow-up letters serve a useful purpose. Before you begin drafting your letter, gather facts about the legislation about which you have an interest. DSEA has prepared factsheets on many issue, just for your use.

1. Address your correspondence properly

"Honorable ______ , State House of Representatives, Legislative Hall,
Dover, DE 19903", or "Senator ______ , State Senate, Legislative Hall, Dover, DE 19903". (Proper addresses and zip codes expedite delivery of your letter.)

2. Identify the bill or issue in question

Hundreds of bills are introduced in the General Assembly every year. Therefore, it is important to be specific. If you write concerning a bill, try to give the bill number (HB 45 or SB 123) or describe it by a popular title ("Equalization", "Teacher Salary Bill", etc.).

3. Status of bill

Since many bills are introduced into the Legislature, a Representative or Senator may not know exactly where the bill is located at a given time. If you can, say it is in the Education Committee of the Senate or on the House agenda or just introduced last week. Bills sometimes move rapidly, so the sooner you write, the more effective your correspondence.

4. Type or write out your letter in longhand

Never send a photocopied or mass-produced letter where you just sign your name. Legislators usually do not read these letters because they normally represent a vested interest group, such as DSEA. Legislators usually know our position already, so your form letter is likely not to be read. In most instances a Representative or Senator will reply to a handwritten note.

5. Concentrate your efforts

Don't write to all the Senators or Representatives; concentrate on your Representative or Senator or committee members (education, appropriations, agriculture, etc.). If you know your Representative or Senator personally, your impact on his/her vote will be greater than just another constituent expressing views.

6. Use local examples

If you are writing about a bill that reduces public school class size, tell how that bill will impact your local school. State why the bill is important, or its "need".

7. Be brief

Legislators study legislation, attend committee meetings, participate in floor debates, and attend dinners and affairs in their home area. Reading correspondence is only part of their responsibility, therefore, be concise and speak to the issue.

8. Check your spelling

Nothing can be more damaging to our efforts than for a legislator to receive a letter from a school employee in which there are misspellings. Be sure to check your letter for typos and spelling errors before it is sent.

More Hints

DO

  • Identify yourself (name, neighborhood, place of business, the organization you represent, DSEA for example).
  • Write your own views and opinions.
  • Give your reasons for taking a stand.
  • Make constructive suggestions.
  • Stress that the issue has statewide support (or opposition) from the organization to which you belong, DSEA for example.
  • Use plain or personal stationery; use letterhead when writing for your organization.
  • Write a "thank you" or "well done" if deserved

Don't

  • Threaten.
  • Photocopy form letters or printed postcards.
  • Overemphasize your stand, i.e., be factual.
  • Pretend to be a political boss or a wielder of great power.
  • Use profanity or constantly berate your Representative or Senator.
  • Send a quantity of mail - quality counts.
  • Expect miracles - patience and perseverance can get your results accomplished.
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