How to Contact Local Elected Officials

The old saying, "The squeaky wheel gets the grease," is especially true when it comes to local politics. If you share your views on the issues you care about with elected officials in your community, you increase your chances of making a difference.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Directories Of Elected Officials
• Yellow Pages
• Local Newspapers
• Newspaper Subscriptions
• Postage Stamps
• Envelopes
• Plain Stationery

1. Contact your town or city hall when you move into a new community to familiarize yourself with the current elected officials.

2. Find out who your elected officials are by reading your local newspaper, looking at a directory of local elected officials in the library, or asking the city or town clerk or others in the mayor's or city manager's office.

3. Call or write to elected officials to introduce yourself and to tell them about the issues that concern you.

4. Gather facts and background before approaching officials concerning local needs such as repairing roads or getting more buses for students.

5. Offer clear objectives: Let them know what you want them to do and why.

6. Enlist others to call or write to show widespread support for your cause.

7. Circulate a petition for broader reach.

8. Invite an elected official to join you on-site when you want to tell that official about a specific problem, such as overcrowded alcohol treatment programs or crowded school buses.

9. Make an appointment to meet with elected officials and bring any documentation you would like them to see.

10. Check your local newspaper for notices of upcoming local public meetings, or call the city or town hall for this information.

11. Attend the next meeting of the key decision makers (such as the mayor, city or town council, and planning board) and voice your concerns. Come prepared, and keep your presentation extremely brief.

12. Research the competition if you will be talking about a controversial topic.

13. Remember to thank elected officials for things that they do, rather than contacting them only to complain or ask for their help. This will help you build a relationship with them and will make them more responsive to you in the future.

Tips & Warnings

• E-mail seems like an easy way to contact elected officials, but not all will respond to this format.
• Get involved in a local group or committee so you can meet local leaders and learn more about the issues affecting your community.
• Consider running for a local office yourself.

[maharishi2]

on 12/3/2008 Thanks for the ideas. I will use these to contact my senator.