How to Lobby Politicians

One of the most endearing qualities of democracy is the ability to consult your politicians. In theory, those politicians are supposed to listen. Nowadays, this is called lobbying. There are people who professionally talk to politicians to give them a certain opinion. Fortunately, everyday citizens like you can also lobby your politician.

Instructions

1. Write a letter to your politician outlining your ideas, comments or demands for change. A politician's contact information should be available online and should be quite easy to locate. Politicians are often too busy to take phone calls, so this is the best way to contact them.

2. Send an email to the politician. Just like writing letters, email is also a great way to contact your politician and tell them about your concerns. Regularly, politicians will have staff members who wade through the massive amounts of emails in order to bring important ones to the attention of the politician.

3. Set up a meeting and visit the politician's office. If your concern is serious enough to warrant a few minutes of the politician's time, you may be granted an appointment. Phone the office, and ask who sets up the politician's schedule. A fair warning: The higher up the political ladder they are, the harder they will be to contact. For example, you'll have an easier time meeting with a state senator than the governor.

4. Bring up your concerns to assistants and members of the politician's staff. These people have a direct line to the politician and if they agree with your concerns about your topic's importance, they can relay your message to the politician.

5. Attend events where the politician will be. Ribbon cuttings, charity balls and parties are all popular places for politicians to make an appearance, and often you can sneak in a quick word with these officials.