Getting to Know Your Elected Officials
- Lookup their contact information including websites and office phone numbers (see below).
- Sign up for email updates on their websites to receive invites to events and position statements.
- Follow them on Facebook and/or Twitter.
- Set up a Google news alert to get an email when they make the news.
- Review their voting record at VoteSmart.org.
- Learn about their campaign contributors at opensecrets.org (federal) or followthemoney.org (state).
Contacting Elected Officials
"A more engaged constituency always leads to more compromise and conversation. When we only allow those in the extremes to dictate the conversations, we grow further apart."
- Emily Ellsworth, Call the Halls: Contacting Your Representatives the Smart Way
What to Say
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What to ExpectYou will likely talk to an intern or Congressional staffer dedicated to constituent services. They will take down your name, opinion and relay that information for your representative. Many offices tally the number of constituents that call to support or oppose various issues. In general, it's better to speak to a person than to leave a voicemail.
(http://usecalltoaction.com/) |
Learn more:
Call the Halls: Contacting Your Representatives the Smart Way by Emily Ellsworth
Emily worked for 6 years answering calls in Congressional offices, and has recently published this guide to teach us how to have our voices heard. The guide can be downloaded for free or with an optional donation. It includes:
Emily worked for 6 years answering calls in Congressional offices, and has recently published this guide to teach us how to have our voices heard. The guide can be downloaded for free or with an optional donation. It includes:
- What to research before making a call
- How to find your niche to prevent burnout
- How to contact your representatives
- Useful scripts and templates
- Town hall meetings & in-person meetings
- A checklist to help you prepare