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Tips For Writing To Your Legislators |
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Nine tips for getting your legislators' attention in a letter.
- State your reason for writing. Identify your subject clearly, giving the name of the legislation you are writing about, and the bill number if you know it.
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Draw from your own personal experience. Tell how you believe the legislation would affect you, your family, your community, or your country.
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Use your own words, and avoid stereotyped phrases that sound like form letters.
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Be sure to thank your legislator if they have done something you think is right on a particular issue.
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Be as brief as you can without losing the message you want to convey.
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Be reasonable. Don't ask for the impossible or engage in threats.
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Ask your legislators to state their positions on the issue in their replies. You are entitled to know. Put your return address on the letter. Envelopes get thrown away.
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Time the arrival of your letter so that it reaches the Capitol before legislation is acted on in committee or on the floor.
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Write on personal letterhead (if you have it), and be sure to sign your name if you have a typed letter.
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