How To Communicate Effectively With Your Local Representatives
Making a difference in politics is all about talking to the right people. These steps can show you how.
1- How to Contact
Contacting your politician can seem daunting at first, there are many methods to choose from and it’s hard to know which to use. This will help you decide which approach you should use.
Social Media
Social media is not a good way to contact your representative. There’s no guarantee that your comment will be seen and read. You can easily slip through the cracks.
Send an Email
Sending an email is better than contacting your reps via Social Media. While sending an email is a viable form of communication, nothing beats a handwritten letter.
Mail a letter
A physical letter greatly improves your odds that your concern will be considered. Today, governments are inundated with emails and receive fewer physical letters than in the past. This means your handwritten letter will compete against fewer letters for the attention of your lawmaker, increasing its chances of being taken seriously. Finally, because writing a letter takes more effort, your representative will be more inclined to give your concern the attention it deserves.
Whether you’re sending an email or a letter, here is a template for how to get started.
Dear Councilman/Councilwoman [last name],
My name is [first name], I live at [address] and I am writing to you today because [problem].
This issue matters to me and my [neighbors/peers/friends/fellow citizens] because [why this problem matters]. I believe that this should be discussed and a solution should be explored.
[If you have a solution of your own suggest it — “I believe that [your solution] would solve this problem”]
I am more than happy to answer any questions you may have and provide additional information if needed.
I look forward to hearing from you. You can contact me via [your best form of contact].
Thank you,
[first and last name]
Phone Call
Phone calls are another viable form of contact. You will probably have to leave a message, so you can rely on a script. The email/letter template can be easily adapted for a phone call. Just change “writing” to “calling” and you’re all set!
Speak at a city council meeting
Your city council meeting is your most direct line to your representatives. At these meetings, there is a designated time for citizens to voice their concerns to the city council. Speaking here will guarantee that your concern is listened to (it also saves you from having to contact each member of the board individually).
Talk with them
Setting up a meeting with a politician gives you the greatest chance of success. Use one (or more) of the methods listed above to make initial contact and schedule a meeting. In your email/letter/phone call give them an introduction to the topic you wish to speak with them about and ask to meet with them to talk about it in more detail.
If you are passionate about this issue, there are others in your city who feel the same way. Use Social Media to organize a small team to come with you to the meeting — multiple people will give your idea more credibility. If hundreds or thousands of people agree with you, ask them to sign a petition.
2- How to Prepare
There’s a fine art to talking to government officials. Regardless of the communication method you choose, these tips will ensure you sound professional and increase the odds your representative will work with you.
Tone
Keep a neutral tone; getting angry will only hurt you. Believe me, I understand that this is easier said than done, but yelling at your representative is the fastest way to get ignored. Vent about the problem with a friend or family member before you speak with your representative; this will help keep emotions in check.
Do your homework
Some topics are nuanced and require knowledge to speak with authority. The last thing you want is to get ignored because it looks like you don’t know what you’re talking about. Doing research beforehand can prevent this. When you write your letter/email include the most compelling sources you found; if you speak at your council meeting or talk to your reps in person, have a fact sheet on hand.
Prepare for questions
Politics is a two-way street so be prepared for your representatives to ask you questions. Ask a friend or family member to read over your message, email, letter, speech, etc., or have a casual conversation about the issue. This gives you a chance to practice answering questions and gain valuable insight about how others view the topic. If you’re talking to your representatives in person, it is perfectly acceptable to say “I don’t have an answer to that question right now, but I will get back to you.” (This is a great way to initiate a follow-up conversation).
3- What to expect
You’ve talked to your representative, great!
You’ll have to follow up
Odds are, the problem won’t be solved right away. The reality of politics is that bureaucracy slows everything down. Decisions are never made by a single person. While this allows the government to fully explore the effects of each decision it makes, it also means lots of people have to say yes in order for anything to happen — which takes time. You will have to be persistent to get your idea passed.
Every “No” is 1 Step Closer to Your “Yes”
Not every politician you approach will agree with you. While they represent you, they are allowed to disagree. If they don’t take action, approach another council member. Eventually, one will see the value in your idea and lead the charge on your behalf.
If you know your problem is felt by thousands in your city and none of your councilmembers help, get them out of office. Next election, support an opposing candidate or run for office yourself.
At the local level, you have the ability to remedy the failures of your government. Our representative democracy hinges upon our elected officials’ ability to interact with their constituents. You can’t expect much from your politicians if they are leading blind; be their light and talk to them about the issues that matter most to you.
