BNI
Baltimore Neighborhoods, Inc.

Contacting Your Representatives

Adapted with permission from 20/20 Vision (www.2020vision.org).

Writing Letters

The more personal your letter is, the more influence it will have. Say what's on your mind and in your heart. You don't have to sound like an expert - you're a concerned citizen. Describe briefly how the policy in question could impact you, your family, or your community.

To create a personal connection, add a hand-written note to your letter.

Be brief, clear, and specific. A clear, one-page letter is more likely to be read.

Ask for a written response from the policymaker, stating his or her position on the specific issue you raised.

Be courteous with the people you contact even if you disagree with them.

Include your address and zip code in all correspondence because elected officials are more concerned with opinions submitted by the people in their districts.

Important note about emails and faxes:
While some representatives do give emails and faxes the same weight as letters and send a formal response, others simply tally electronic letters and don't give them the same importance as "real letters." Don't give up on them altogether though: they are excellent for contacting legislators at the last minute.

Making Phone Calls

If you are calling a legislator, ask to speak to the aide who works on the issue in question, such as housing or real estate. If that person is not available, leave a clear message with your name, address, and phone number. State why you are calling and what you want your legislator to do. You can ask for a written response to your phone message.

Write or call a second time to follow up on your call, thanking the legislator for their help or pressing for satisfactory answers.

Writing Letters to the Editor

Letters to the editor are an easy way for you to voice your opinion to policymakers and to educate readers about issues that concern you. You can use letters to praise or criticize a recent article or editorial or simply provide your opinion on a current issue. Make sure you read the paper before you write so that you get an idea of the format. Don't miss out on this chance to speak your mind!

Keep it short and simple. If you look at the editorial page, a few paragraphs is all they usually print.

Demonstrate how this issue impacts your community. Mention lawmakers by name to ensure you get their attention.

Include your name, address and telephone number. Newspapers often need to contact you before printing your letter.

Don't be discouraged if your letter is not printed. Every time you submit a letter, you are paving the way for future letters to be printed.

If your letter is printed and you mentioned an elected official, send them a copy of the letter.